Job Information
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Security Analyst in Lexington, Massachusetts
Position Description
The Security Analyst II is a member of the Threat Assessment Team – which performs analysis on cyberthreats, research and develop new methods for detecting cyber threats, reviews and triages security alerts, and other suspicious system or network activity. The Threat Assessment Team is actively involved with security incident handling and works closely with the Security Services Department from the start to the closure of an incident. Through data analysis, the Security Analyst identifies methods to mitigate future risk to networked systems. The Security Analyst researches external malicious cyberactivity to proactively identify ways to mitigate risk to the network. Also as part of the Information Technology Security Team the Security Analyst assists in the evaluation and testing of security tools and devices.
Adversary Detection
Research and develop ever changing methods to detect and alert on possible threat activity
Obtain Intelligence on developing actor TTP's
Identify ways to mitigate future risk to the Laboratory and request blocks to be put in place
Analyze samples from suspect systems or emails for further Indicators of Compromise
Cyber Threat Analysis & Assessment
Rapid assessment and determination of active threats
Perform threat analysis on suspicious messages to determine if spam, phishing and or a targeted email
Investigate sensor detections and alerts to determine severity of threat or false positive
Through log and data analysis determine scope or extent at which other systems were exposed to the same threat
Coordinate efforts among analyst to enhance mitigation efforts and avoid duplication of efforts
Coordinate with Security Services Department on threat impact, nature and potential scope
Publish detailed Threat Assessment reports as required
Identify, implement or request solutions (e.g. blocks) to mitigate future risk to the Laboratory
External Awareness
Research current malicious cyber activity at large
Research how vulnerabilities are being exploited and software affected
Proactively identify opportunities to mitigate potential threats based on research
Proactively identify any patterns within device and server logs based on research to potentially identify systems of interest through log analysis
Security Projects
Evaluate potential security software, tools or devices
Test new network security systems and changes to existing network security devices
Develop technical project plans, requirement documentation, test plans, change requests, and communications to users
This position is under general supervision of the Threat Team Lead
This position does not have any financial responsibility. However technical expertise may be required for assisting with product selection and annual product support renewals
This position will maintain frequent contact with internal department and/or Laboratory user community as well as external vendors to maintain communications related to problem resolution, systems upgrades, services and product research
This position interacts frequently with the Security Services Department to maintain communication related to data recovery for forensics analysis based on request, and identification of policy violations, systems of interest putting the network at risk, threats of interest or messages of interest
Qualifications
Required Minimum:
CompTIA Security+ Certification or equivalent
An understanding of TCP/IP network protocols and application layer protocols (e.g., HTTP, SMTP, DNS, etc.)
Good understanding of Windows, Mac and Linux Operating Systems and Event logging
Strong working knowledge of security tools and devices including SIEM and SOAR tools
Previous experience in developing and implementing detection mechanisms
Working knowledge Cyber Security in Cloud / DevSecOps including scripting (Python preferred)
Scripting knowledge including use of APIs to perform integration with systems where possible
Previous experience developing and deploying cybersecurity solutions to popular cloud platforms
Previous experience analyzing network or system logs for malicious activity
Some experience in malware analysis and/or reverse engineering, as well as analyzing email attachments and URL links for malicious content
Previous experience developing automations and/or playbooks in SOAR environments for response and remediation
Knowledge of industry standards such as MITRE ATT&CK, Cyberthreat Kill Chain and NIST standards – among others
Ability to work independently toward delivery of goals as well as collaborate in team efforts
Skill in interviewing users to determine source of potential malware or suspicious activity
Excellent customer service skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Preferred
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technologies, Engineering or equivalent experience
SANS GCIH (GIAC Certified Incident Handler) or equivalent, which would include solid working knowledge of incident handling
Skill in organizing and managing projects
Skill in building consensus among stakeholders and colleagues
Experience:
4+ years experience in various cyber security / SOC roles
Additional Information
Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance
Occasional off-hour/on-call support is necessary. A certain degree of flexibility of schedule is required as some work (planned/unplanned) must be done outside of major production hours during pre-scheduled maintenance windows
At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include:
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
MIT-funded pension
Matching 401K
Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
Mentorship programs
A range of work-life balance options
... and much more!
Please visit our Benefits page (https://hr.mit.edu/benefits) for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks (https://hr.mit.edu/benefits/additional) .
Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.
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