Information Security Analyst

About the role

The Information Security Analyst is a technical role within the Information Security (InfoSec) group of Information Technology Services (ITS), responsible for defending the University’s data assets through policy controls, security operations, incident response, and AI-assisted tooling. As a primary network defender, the analyst works at the intersection of threat detection, vulnerability management, and forensic investigation within a Security Operations Center (SOC).

Responsibilities

• Monitor network, endpoint, and identity telemetry continuously using open-source and enterprise SIEM platforms including Splunk, Elastic/Opensearch, and Kibana.
• Review IDS alerts, system logs, and network traffic captures; triage for relevance and severity; distinguish genuine threats from false positives.
• Provide second-level analysis of alerts escalated by student SOC employees, with final disposition and escalation authority resting with this position.
• Operate, tune, and recommend enhancements to the SOC’s monitoring and detection platforms including Microsoft Defender and SIEM tools; leverage AI-assisted tooling to improve detection and response workflows.
• Implement threat hunting and detection strategies; identify new data sources to augment detection capability; integrate new tools and applications as needed.
• Write Python and PowerShell scripts to automate detection, response, and data analysis workflows.
• Aid in maintenance of firewall rulesets.
• Serve as first responder for security incident investigation, conducting log and system-level analysis to determine potential scope and impact.
• Assist with containment, eradication, and recovery efforts.
• Perform digital forensic analysis at the first-responder level to determine whether a breach has occurred and what steps are required to contain it.
• Provide written and verbal summaries of incident findings to be shared with ITS leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Assist in maintaining and operating the University’s vulnerability assessment program, including scan configuration, finding analysis, risk prioritization based on exploitability and business impact, and remediation coordination with system owners.
• Track patching effectiveness and validate closure of critical findings.
• Assist in hiring, continuous training, mentoring, and operational oversight of student SOC employees.
• Develop and maintain the SOC processes, runbooks, and escalation procedures that student analysts follow.
• Provide direct coaching on alert investigation techniques, log analysis, and documentation standards.

Requirements

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in information security/Cybersecurity, Information Management, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related discipline. Five (5+) plus years of experience in Information Technology, with a minimum of two (2) years in Information Security/Cybersecurity. Prior experience working in a functioning SOC or equivalent security operations environment is valued, including hands-on work triaging live alerts, investigating active incidents, and operating security tooling in a production setting.
• Skills and Knowledge: Required Experience (2+ years each): SOC operations: IDS/EDR alert triage, log analysis, and network traffic interpretation using Splunk, Kibana, or Microsoft Sentinel; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: alert triage, investigation, and response; Python 3 scripting for automation and SOC workflow support; Firewall operation and network security fundamentals. Required Experience (1+ years each): Windows/Active Directory, endpoint log analysis, PowerShell, and group policies; Linux system administration; Digital forensics at a first-responder level; AI-assisted security tools (e.g., Copilot, AI-enhanced SIEM features); Broader Technical Knowledge: Network protocols; IDS/IPS platforms; MITRE ATT&CK and Cyber Kill Chain; vulnerability scanning; cloud security fundamentals; SOAR and scripting-based automation; Microsoft security stack (Defender XDR, Sentinel, Purview, Entra ID) with KQL proficiency. Active use of AI tooling across all operational functions and the application of AI as a solution is a core expectation.

Qualifications

• Soft Skills: Cross-functional collaboration; student SOC mentorship; multi-source analytical precision; clear written and verbal communication to technical and non-technical audiences; composure during active incidents; commitment to continuous learning.