Security Compliance Specialist

Job Title: Security Compliance Specialist
Duration: 3+ years
Client: Defense Research Lab
Location: Lexington, MA 02421

Description: Develops and oversees compliance programs, supporting compliance efforts, governance/policy, reporting, and incident response. Ensures that the organization remains compliant with all regulations and policies as required based on the local and federal requirements, specifically FAR and DFAR regulations. Conducts internal compliance reviews and documents findings. May participate in internal or external audits. Recommends process or policy change to increase compliance or efficiencies. Generates reports and analyzes data on applicable compliance related topics. Engages with internal stakeholders and any external partners as needed. Develops presentations and collateral for compliance related topics.

Background/Need: The overall mission is to enable research and development while keeping the community safe and secure through the protection of information, network, facilities, and personnel.

Other information relevant to the job requirement?

• The IT Security Risk Auditor position performs audits of classified and unclassified Information Systems (IS) to ensure that they are being maintained in a compliant manner and are following applicable laws and government regulations, such as National Industrial Security Program Operation Manual (NISPOM) guidelines regarding the protection of classified information systems, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards and special publications, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), DCSA Assessment and Authorization Process Manual (DAAPM) and Information System Security Procedures.
• The candidate must be knowledgeable in fundamental computer security principles and policies: Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), NIST 800-53/Risk Management Framework (RMF), CNSSI 1253, and DOD Manual 5205.07 Volumes 1-4, NIST SP 800-171 and DAAPM 2.0.
• Responsible for maintaining and auditing programs to validate compliance with various government regulations and Laboratory Information Security policies.
• The position is responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments of the management, operation, monitoring and technical security controls employed within or inherited by Information Systems to determine the overall effectiveness of the controls (i.e. the extent to which the controls are implemented correctly, operating as intended, and producing the desired outcome) with respect to meeting the security requirements of the Authorization to Operate (ATO) or other government regulation or contractual requirement for the system and for the ability to conduct open source and internal research to identify current threat indicators, exploits, and vulnerabilities

Required Skills:

• Bachelor s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Computer Information Systems, or related field is required with a minimum of seven (7) years experience conducting risk assessments.
• Experience in compliance auditing, security reviews, or vulnerability assessments.
• Technical experience and skills, course work completed toward a degree, and industry IT certifications (i.e., CISSP, CISA) may be considered substitutes for education and experience.
• In-depth knowledge of information security principles and policies such as Risk Management Framework (RMF) as presented by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NIST SP 800-171 and Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs).
• The ability to read, understand and apply government regulation, policies and procedure such as the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), 32 CFR Part 117, FAR/DFARS Safeguarding CUI series , etc.), computer security principles and policies, to include, Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and NIST 800-53 / Risk Management Framework (RMF) and NIST SP 800-171.

Working experience directly related to Assessment and Authorization using at least one of the following:

• NIST 800-53/Risk Management Framework (RMF)
• Joint Special Access Program (SAP) Implementation Guide
• NIST SP 800-171 Understanding of CMMC Framework
• National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) Chapter 8

Preferred Skills:

• Information Assurance Certifications preferred (CISSP/CISA, Security+, CCP/CCA, or other industry-recognized Certification that validate knowledge in Cybersecurity framework or equivalent).
• Direct experience with DCSA facility compliance reviews and security audits.

Others:

• Clearance: Interim clearance sufficient for start; but candidate will need to clear up to the Top-Secret Level.
• Work Location: This position will be predominantly onsite for the first 3-4 months (probably 4 days/wk. onsite). After the initial ramp up period, there may be an opportunity for more remote, 2-3 days/week. Long term, candidate must be comfortable with being onsite at least 2+ days and as needed for the project work.
• Interview Process: 2 rounds of zoom interview.