Senior Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO)

What You Will Do

As an Information Systems Security Officer at Independent Software, you will play a critical role in strengthening and defending the security posture of mission-critical systems supporting the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. You will lead cybersecurity efforts across the full system lifecycle, from initial design and Risk Management Framework (RMF) implementation through system authorization, continuous monitoring, and ongoing sustainment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily security operations for information systems ensuring compliance with Department of Defense and Intelligence Community cybersecurity policies, directives, and frameworks
• Serve as a key security authority for assigned systems and programs, ensuring compliance with evolving DoD and IC policies while proactively identifying and mitigating risks to classified environments
• Work closely with system administrators, engineers, and program leadership to integrate security into system architecture and operations, ensuring security is embedded—not bolted on—throughout the lifecycle
• Drive system authorization activities, oversee vulnerability management efforts, and guide remediation strategies to maintain operational readiness and accreditation
• Provide technical leadership in interpreting security requirements, implementing controls, and responding to emerging threats, while continuously improving processes to enhance resilience, compliance, and mission effectiveness

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to interpret and apply Department of Defense, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Intelligence Community security standards including NIST SP 800-53, CNSSI 1253, and DoDI 8510.01
• Skilled in Risk Management Framework steps 1 through 6, risk mitigation, and continuous monitoring
• Experience implementing and validating technical controls for operating systems, applications, and network devices
• Hands-on experience with vulnerability scanners, audit tools, and enterprise security management systems such as ACAS, Nessus, or comparable tools
• Familiarity with customer security tools, repositories, playbooks, and compliance guidelines
• Operational understanding of server technologies, information assurance practices, and networking protocols and services
• Able to perform detailed risk assessments and author clear, actionable security documentation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to brief stakeholders and leadership
• Proven ability to work in a cross-functional classified environment with minimal supervision
• Exposure to infrastructure provisioning or configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform)

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Security, Information Assurance, or related technical discipline
• In lieu of a degree, an additional four years of relevant experience may be substituted
• Minimum of twelve or more years of professional experience in cybersecurity, information assurance, or systems security engineering
• Minimum of ten or more years of ISSO or equivalent experience supporting Department of Defense or Intelligence Community programs of similar scope, type, and complexity

Certifications

• DoD 8140.03 compliance with IAM Level II or IAT Level III (CASP, CISSP, or Associate)

Clearance Requirement

• Must possess an active TS/SCI with appropriate Polygraph to be considered for this role