Cybersecurity Operations Tier I Analyst

We are seeking a Cybersecurity Operations Tier I Analyst to join our Prime Contract with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. TekSynap is a fast-growing high-tech company that understands both the pace of technology today and the need to have a comprehensive, well-planned information management environment.

About the role

The Cyber Security Analyst will provide the required resources and expertise to support 24x7x365 cybersecurity monitoring and response across DTRA’s distributed network operations environment. Working with the DTRA J6C, contractor CSSP analysts and engineers shall collaborate with various teams throughout the agency to process intelligence, determine threat, develop mitigations, monitor for attacks, and assess risk while providing cyber-based Situational Awareness to agency leadership and stakeholders.

The Cyber Security Specialist will monitor computer network defense services in a manner that effectively safeguards the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of DTRA-supported network environments and Information Technology infrastructure. The specialist will provide the required resources and expertise to ensure compliance with DoD CSSP Evaluators Securing Metrics (ESM) and support within the existing CSSP structure, which includes four simultaneously running processes tooled to assist and defend the system subscriber.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze network and/or host artifacts from a variety of sources (logs, system images, packet captures) to characterize activity, determine root cause, operational impact, and enable rapid remediation and/or mitigation of cyber threats within the Enterprise Network.
• Perform initial cyber incident triage, including determining initial scope, urgency, and potential impact; identifying the specific vulnerability; escalating incidents to Tier II analysts.
• Manage and document cyber defense incidents from initial detection through escalation.
• Monitor computer network defense services to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of DTRA-supported network environments and IT infrastructure.
• Conduct network threat monitoring across a variety of tools and research threats/adversaries using open-source and government database platforms.
• Collaborate with teams to process intelligence, determine threats, develop mitigations, monitor for attacks, and assess risk while providing cyber-based Situational Awareness to leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with DoD CSSP Evaluators Securing Metrics (ESM) and support existing CSSP processes.
• Share and discuss information discovered during research and monitoring with the team.

Requirements

• Active DoD Top Secret clearance.
• IAT Level II certification and CSSP Analyst certification (e.g., Security+ CE or better, CEH or better).
• DoD 8570/8140 CSSP Auditor or equivalent certification (e.g., CEH, CFR, CySA+, GCIA, GCIH).
• Minimum 1 year of cybersecurity analyst experience or 3 years of IT experience.
• Experience with open-source research, analyzing network traffic, analyzing Windows logs, and network/host-based security systems.
• Experience with SIEMs (e.g., Splunk) and Trellix ESS (McAfee HBSS).
• Basic knowledge of network topography, intermediate understanding of network protocols, and thorough understanding of the OSI model.
• Familiarity with DoDI 8530.01 (Cybersecurity Activities Support to DoD Information Network Operations).
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Qualifications

• Computing Environment certification (e.g., Windows Server 2022, Red Hat security, Splunk Power User).
• SANS GCIH or similar certification (desired).
• Tanium Interact Module experience (desired).
• Wireshark experience (desired).
• PowerShell and Bash experience (desired).
• 1 year of experience working at a CSSP (desired).
• Familiarity with CJCSM 6510.01B (desired).

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401K plan.
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability plans.
• Vacation time and holidays.

Pay

Target salary range: $90,000.00 - $140,000.00. The salary range is an estimate and will be determined based on the individual’s education, knowledge, skills, competencies, experience, contract parameters, and organizational requirements.

Schedule

• Work schedule: Tuesday – Saturday, 2200-0600.
• Location: Fort Belvoir, VA (office environment, low noise level).
• Amount of travel: Less than 10%.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Regular use of hands to handle, feel, or touch; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Regularly required to lift up to 10 pounds; frequently required to lift up to 25 pounds; occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.