Senior Analyst, Forensics

Arete; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Arete is seeking an experienced Forensic Analyst to lead ransomware/compromise investigations. You will work with a tiger team to analyze Windows, Linux, Mac artifacts and RAM, review logs, and leverage SOC data to identify IOCs and TTPs.

You will craft clear, audience-appropriate narratives and reports using MITRE ATT&CK and Cyber Kill Chain frameworks, and mentor junior staff. You will deliver forensic findings in a concise manner, participate in incident response planning, and collaborate

Qualifications

• Proficient with Windows, Unix/Linux disk and memory forensics.
• Experience with enterprise security controls.
• Experience delivering technical findings to a non-technical audience (preferred).
• Experience leading teams of analysts (preferred).
• Knowledge of handling sensitive datasets and cyber insurance investigations (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Leads the Forensics analysis to support the Forensic lead on ransomware/compromise investigations.
• Works with tiger team analysts to perform forensic analysis of artifacts across Windows, Linux, Mac, and RAM/memory.
• Analyzes network and OS log files including Windows Event, Unified Audit Logs, Firewall, and VPN logs.
• Collaborates with SOC to leverage alerts from EDR to identify IOCs/TTPS for variants.
• Prepares clear forensic findings in narrative form and tailors delivery to audience and technical capability.
• Employs MITRE ATT&CK and Lockheed Martin Cyber Kill Chain frameworks to contextualize IOCs.
• Reviews and drafts incident reports and appendices; peers review colleagues’ reports.
• Delivers on the Forensic Investigations plan and manages timelines and execution across projects.
• May perform other duties as assigned by management.

Skills

Windows forensics

Linux forensics

Memory forensics

NSM & log analysis

Analyst leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Security/CS/Forensics/Cyber Security

Master’s or Advanced Degree + 3+ years experience

Tools

EnCase

Axiom

FTK

X-Ways

SIFT

Splunk

Redline

Volatility

Wireshark

TCPDump

Job description

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads the Forensics analysis to support the Forensic lead, on engagements for Ransomware/compromise investigations.
• Works with the tiger team analysts to perform Forensic analysis of artifacts, including (but not limited to) the analysis of operating system artifacts and the recovery of deleted items from multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, Mac, and RAM/memory forensics
• Analyzes network and operating system log files including Windows Event logs, Unified Audit Logs, Firewall logs, VPN logs, etc.
• Works with the Security Operations Center (SOC) to leverage data from alerts provided by existing and deployed Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to identify Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) or Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for variants related to case
• Internally prepares Forensics findings and updates in a clear, concise manner through a narrative story outlining the timeline of events - modifies delivery in-line with the call’s audience and technical capabilities.
• Employs the usage of incident-mapping frameworks while developing the attack map such as MITRE’s ATT&CK and Lockheed Martin’s Cyber Kill Chain to help contextualize IOCs
• Reviews and drafts written incident, investigative updates, reports, and appendices as the explicit direction of counsel and partners based on the findings using the standard report templates. Performs Peer reviews of reports written by team members.
• Delivers on the Forensic Investigations plan & works with the lead to manage the timeline, delivery, and execution of the forensic analysis across projects.
• May perform other duties as assigned by management.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Thorough knowledge of:
  • Windows disk, Unix or Linux disk, and memory forensics.
  • Network Security Monitoring (NSM), network traffic analysis, and log analysis.
• Experience and understanding of enterprise security controls.
• Experienced with EnCase, Axiom, FTK, X-Ways, SIFT, Splunk, Redline, Volatility, WireShark, TCPDump, and open-source forensic tools
• Experience delivering technical findings to a non-technical audience, preferred
• Experience leading teams of analysts, preferred
• Provide findings in a confident, factual manner, preferred
• Knowledge and experience in handling PII, PHI, sensitive, confidential, and proprietary datasets, preferred
• Experience with Cyber insurance investigations, preferred
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently and proceed with objectives with minimal supervision
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to identify and resolve compliance-related issues effectively
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to prepare clear and concise reports and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite products

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Security, Computer Science, Digital Forensics, Cyber Security or related field and 4+ years of incident response or digital forensics experience or Master’s or Advanced Degree and 3+ years related experience
• Possess two or more of the following Certifications:
  • Security +, Network+, SANS GCED, GCIH, GCFE, GCFA, CEH, CHFI, EnCe

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required personnel so classified.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the work environment characteristics listed below are representative of the environment the employee will encounter: Usual office working conditions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• No physical exertion required
• Travel within or outside of the state
• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with Arete salary and benefit policy.

FLSA OVERTIME CATEGORY

Job is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

DECLARATION

The Arete Incident Response Human Resources Department retains the sole right and discretion to make changes to this job description.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer- and celebrate our employees’ differences, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or Veteran status. Different makes us better.

Arete Incident Response is an outstanding (and growing) company with a very dedicated, fun team. We offer competitive salaries, fully paid benefits including Medical/Dental, Life/Disability Insurance, 401(k) and the opportunity to work with some of the latest and greatest in the fast-growing cyber security industry.

When you join Arete…

You’ll be doing work that matters alongside other talented people, transforming the way people, businesses, and things connect with each other. Of course, we will offer you great pay and benefits, but we’re about more than that. Arete is a place where you can craft your own path to greatness. Whether you think in code, words, pictures or numbers, find your future at Arete, where experience matters.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer- and celebrate our employees’ differences, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or Veteran status. Different makes us better.