Cyber Threat Analyst

SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision of the Supervisor, IT Infrastructure, the Cyber Threat Analyst performs monitoring and analysis of cyber threats to assist in the defense of CLIENT'S cyber systems and operations. The incumbent will curate and triage intelligence from multiple cyber intelligence sources and will inform the security operations with timely and relevant TTPs, IOCs, and context. The incumbent will generate reports for upper management based on data, information, and intelligence.

The incumbent must understand the MITRE ATT&CK framework and be able to integrate the framework in the reporting. The Cyber Threat Analyst will develop and document threat hunt activities based on intelligence, scenarios, and observations. The incumbent develops, maintains, and supports systems that provide collection capabilities and telemetry information to the organization.

In addition, the incumbent performs troubleshooting, installation, and maintenance on equipment and software systems related to NERC CIP. The incumbent performs change management and configuration activities, security controls testing, system baseline activities, vulnerability testing and analysis, and network traffic analysis to ensure system reliability and security.

The incumbent participates in in-house, regulatory, and industry teams, including working groups, committees, incident response teams, and business continuity teams as required. Also, the incumbent participates in exercises that test policies, procedures, and skills which are required by business and critical operations. The incumbent responds to anomalous events that will require analysis and will have to synthesize and correlate complex events to ensure operational security.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Develops assessments based on cyber intelligence and report recommendations and/or findings to management. Maintains a strong understanding of intelligence surrounding geo-political events and reports on correlated activity to management.

Acts as a liaison between information-sharing groups, law enforcement, and intelligence communities.

Gathers, sorts, filters, and analyzes raw data into actionable intelligence for the security team. Lead threat hunting and root cause analysis on events and misconfigurations. Performs threat research and reports to management.

Understand the MITRE ATT&CK, Cyber Kill Chain, and other threat intelligence frameworks. Supports collection of intelligence and telemetry information.

Ensures the stability and integrity of in-house electronic access control and monitoring systems which may include SEIM devices, IDS sensors, IPS, data diodes, firewalls, switches, routers, application whitelisting, network anomaly detection devices, log retention systems, log forwarding systems, network monitoring systems, and analytics software used in the monitoring of critical cyber assets associated with the operation of multiple departments.

Performs change management and configuration activities, security controls testing, system baseline activities, vulnerability testing and analysis, and network traffic analysis to ensure system reliability and security. Installs, troubleshoots and maintains hardware and software systems related to electronic access control and monitoring systems.

Reviews logs, configurations, rule sets, user accounts, account groups, and network traffic for adherence to policy/procedure.

Responds to anomalous events that will require analysis and will have to synthesize and correlate complex events to ensure operational security. Tests and implements IDS/IPS rule sets and signatures.

Monitors cyber assets and critical infrastructure to ensure system up-time. Engages in change/configuration management activities for cyber assets. Performs network traffic analysis when anomalous traffic needs to be investigated.

Assists in conducting incident response and forensic investigations. Conducts vulnerability testing, analysis, and mitigation for cyber assets. Analyzes network infrastructure rule sets manually and uses software tools to ensure proper security posture for compliance. Writes reports and briefings related to specific information security issues.

Tickets and tracks operational issues related to the security posture of cyber assets, which are in scope for this group. Conducts research on network products, services, protocols, and standards to remain abreast of developments in the information security industry. Participates in exercises that test policies, procedures, and skills that are required by business and critical operations. Participates in in-house, regulatory, and industry teams including working groups, committees, incident response teams, and business continuity teams as required.

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analysis/Design: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures; generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into images; uses feedback to modify designs; applies design principles; demonstrates attention to detail.

Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Professional Knowledge: Generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into applications; uses feedback to modify recommendations; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.

Oral and Written Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings; writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans.

Project Management: Develops project plans; coordinates projects effectively; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; manages project team activities.

Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected outcomes.

Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments to customers.

Cost Consciousness: Works within approved budget; develops and implements cost saving measures; conserves organizational resources.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors required of this position.

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree in a related field and five (5) years of directly related experience in information security, digital networking, computing, telecommunications, or SCADA/EMS operations is required.

Extensive knowledge of TCP/IP and Cisco routing and switching, as well as proven experience with firewall and VPN appliances, is preferred.

Industry specific certifications may be substituted for experience at the rate of one (1) year experience for each certification. Directly related experience may be substituted for education at the rate of two (2) years of experience for one (1) year of education.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of employees, managers, clients, or customers.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, fundamentals of plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and differential equations. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: In addition to the qualifications listed above, knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office products is required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Requires a current driver's license. CCNA, CCNP, Comptia Network +, Comptia Security +, CISSP, GIAC, CEH or Engineer-level Operating System certifications is desirable. Must be able to attain CISSP or similar within twelve (12) months of hire.

WORK SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:

Normally works a weekday schedule, but may be required to work evenings, holidays, or weekends. May be required to travel on short notice. On-call nights and weekends will be required for response to anomalous issues.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be subject to moderate outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. In accordance with CLIENT'S Administrative Procedure 805-Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace this position is classified as "safety sensitive".