Senior Cyber Defense Analyst: Incident Response & Threat Detection

Nightwing; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity for professional growth

Collaborative work environment

Competitive salary

Job summary

A premier cybersecurity firm in Arlington, VA is seeking a Cyber Network Defense Analyst. The role involves monitoring network activity, analyzing threats, and coordinating with cyber defense teams. Candidates should have 8+ years of cyber defense analysis experience and possess relevant U.S. security clearances. Collaboration with a talented team is emphasized to innovate and solve complex cybersecurity challenges. This dynamic opportunity promises significant professional growth and impact in the field.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Active TS/SCI clearance needed.
• 8+ years of experience in cyber defense analysis.

Responsibilities

• Analyze network traffic for anomalous activity.
• Coordinate network alerts with cyber defense staff.
• Document and escalate cybersecurity incidents.

Skills

Cyber defense analysis

Incident handling methodologies

Packet-level analysis

Trend analysis

Python programming

Education

BS in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, or related degree

Tools

Snort

Carnegie Mellon SiLK tool suite

Job description

Arlington, VA

Full time

JR101445

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Nightwing is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide support for onsite incident response to civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners who experience cyber-attacks, providing immediate investigation and resolution. Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize of the severity of breaches, develop mitigation plans, and assist with the restoration of services. Nightwing is seeking a Cyber Network Defense Analyst to support this critical customer mission.

The CDNA uses information collected from a variety of sources to monitor network activity and analyze it for evidence of suspicious behavior. Monitoring and analysis are performed to identify and report events that occur, or might occur, within the network, in order to protect information, information systems, and networks from threats. Responsibilities:

• Characterize and analyze network traffic to identify anomalous activity and potential threats to network resources

• Coordinate with enterprise-wide cyber defense staff to validate network alerts

• Document and escalate incidents (including event's history, status, and potential impact for further action) that may cause ongoing and immediate impact to the environment

• Perform cyber defense trend analysis and reporting

• Perform event correlation using information gathered from a variety of sources within the enterprise to gain situational awareness and determine the effectiveness of an observed attack

• Provide daily summary reports of network events and activity relevant to cyber defense practices

• Receive and analyze network alerts from various sources within the enterprise and determine possible causes of alerts

• Provide timely detection, identification, and alerting of possible attacks/intrusions, anomalous activities, and misuse activities and distinguish these incidents and events from benign activities

• Use cyber defense tools for continual monitoring and analysis of system activity to identify malicious activity

• Analyze identified malicious activity to determine weaknesses exploited, exploitation methods, effects on system and information

• Identify and analyze anomalies in network traffic using metadata

• Validate intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts against network traffic using packet analysis tools

• Identify applications and operating systems of a network device based on network traffic

• Reconstruct a malicious attack or activity based off network traffic

• Identify network mapping and operating system (OS) fingerprinting activities

• Assist in the construction of signatures which can be implemented on cyber defense network tools in response to new or observed threats within the network environment or enclave

Required Skills/Clearances:

• U.S. Citizenship

• Active TS/SCI clearance

• Ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry on Duty (EOD) Suitability

• 8+ years of direct relevant experience in cyber defense analysis using leading edge technologies and industry standard cyber defense tools-

• Experience successfully developing and deploying signatures

• Experience detecting host and network-based intrusions via intrusion detection technologies (e.g., Snort)

• Experience implementing incident handling methodologies

• Experience implementing protocol analyzers

• Experience collecting data from a variety of cyber defense resources

• Experience reading and interpreting signatures (e.g. snort)

• Experience performing packet-level analysis

• Experience conducting trend analysis

Desired Skills:

• Python programming experience

• Strong math and science background

• Experience with Carnegie Mellon SiLK tool suite

Required Education:

BS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, or related degree; or HS Diploma & 10 years of network investigations experience. Desired Certifications:

One or more of the following professional certifications: GNFA, GCIH, GCIA, GSEC, CASP+, CySA+, PaLMS, FedVTE, GSEC (SANS401), Arcsight (or other SEIM solution), Network+, SecurityArlington, VA

Salary & Benefits

The salary associated with this position ($122,000-$253,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.

Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.

Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

Previously part of a leading Fortune 100 company and headquartered in Dulles, VA; Nightwing became independent in 2024 but continues to support the nation’s most mission impactful initiatives.

When we formed Nightwing, we brought a deep set of credentials and an unfaltering commitment to the mission. For over four decades, our team has been providing some of the world’s most technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence support services to the U.S. government on its most important missions.

At Nightwing, we value collaboration and teamwork. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. Together, we’ll leverage our collective expertise to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and deliver exceptional results for our clients.

Thank you for considering joining us as we embark on this new journey and shape the future of cybersecurity and intelligence together as part of the Nightwing team.