Network Security Analyst

A network security analyst ensures that information systems and computer networks are secure. This includes protecting the company against hackers and cyber-attacks, as well as monitoring network traffic and server logs for activity that seems unusual. Additionally, these analysts are responsible for finding vulnerabilities in the computer networks and creating recommendations for how to minimize these vulnerabilities. The network security analyst investigates security breaches, develops strategies for any security issues that arise, and utilizes the help of firewalls and antivirus software to maintain security. DISCLAIMER: Candidates for this position will be subject to a pre-employment security review to determine employment eligibility.

Job Summary

The Network Security Analyst I performs advanced cybersecurity analysis and threat triage activities within the Cybersecurity Operations Center (CSOC). Work involves continuously monitoring, triaging, analyzing, and prioritizing cybersecurity alerts; investigating suspicious activity; identifying potential threats; and coordinating incident response activities to protect agency information systems, networks, and data. Serves as a primary point of contact for security event analysis, threat identification, and incident escalation.

Essential Job Functions

• Monitors, analyzes, and triages cybersecurity alerts generated by Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), cloud security, email security, identity protection, and network security platforms.
• Conducts initial investigations of detected and reported security events to determine severity, scope, impact, and potential risk to agency operations.
• Identifies, validates, and prioritizes potential cybersecurity incidents, escalating confirmed threats to Incident Response, Threat Hunting, or SOC Engineering teams according to established procedures.
• Correlates security events from multiple data sources, including endpoints (EDR), firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), cloud services, authentication systems, and threat intelligence feeds.
• Reviews and analyzes indicators of compromise (IOCs), suspicious network activity, phishing emails, malware detections, and anomalous user behavior.
• Documents investigations, findings, and response actions in ticketing and case management systems to ensure accurate tracking and reporting.
• Assists with incident containment, eradication, and recovery efforts by coordinating with technical teams and stakeholders.
• Reports and escalates to the CSOC Team Lead and/or SOC Manager.
• Supports the continuous improvement of threat detection capabilities through alert tuning, process refinement, threat intelligence integration, and identification of false-positive trends.
• Performs vulnerability assessment reviews and evaluates identified vulnerabilities for potential risk and remediation prioritization.
• Supports development and maintenance of operational procedures, playbooks, workflows, and knowledge base articles related to threat detection and incident response.
• Researches emerging cyber threats, attack techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) to improve detection and response effectiveness.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Cybersecurity Operations Center (CSOC/SOC) operations and best practices.
• Security incident triage, analysis, investigation, and escalation procedures.
• Security monitoring technologies, including SIEM, EDR/XDR, IDS/IPS, firewalls, endpoint security solutions, and cloud security platforms.
• Common cyber threats, attack vectors, malware, phishing campaigns, insider threats, and advanced persistent threat (APT) techniques.
• Threat intelligence concepts, indicators of compromise (IOCs), indicators of attack (IOAs), and MITRE ATT&CK methodologies.
• Windows, Linux, networking protocols, Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, cloud environments, and enterprise security controls.
• Incident response lifecycle and cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NIST Incident Response guidance, and PICERL.

Skill in:

• Security event analysis and threat triage.
• Correlating and interpreting data from multiple cybersecurity tools.
• Investigating suspicious activity and identifying indicators of compromise.
• Using SIEM, EDR/XDR, threat intelligence, vulnerability management, and case management platforms.
• Producing clear documentation, incident reports, and technical communications.
• Prioritizing and managing multiple investigations in a fast-paced operational environment for a large organization.
• Knowledge of and experience with query languages such as KQL, Lucene, SPL, ESQL, etc.
• Knowledge of and experience with scripting languages such as PowerShell, Python, Bash, etc.

Ability to:

• Analyze complex security events and distinguish legitimate threats from false positives.
• Make risk-based decisions during incident investigations.
• Execute established incident response and escalation procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with security engineers, incident responders, system administrators, CISO leadership, and business stakeholders.
• Communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Work independently and as part of a 24x7 cybersecurity operations team.

Preferred Education and Certifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in cybersecurity, information security, computer science, computer information systems, management information systems, or a related field is preferred. Relevant education and experience may be substituted for one another.
• One or more of the following certifications are preferred:
• CompTIA Security+
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
• Certified SOC Analyst (CSA)
• Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst (SC-200)
• Other GIAC or SOC-related certifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in cybersecurity operations, security monitoring, incident response, threat detection, security investigations, or related cybersecurity disciplines.
• Experience working with one or more of the following technologies:
• SIEM platforms (NetWitness, Microsoft Sentinel, Splunk, QRadar, ArcSight, LogRhythm, etc.)
• Microsoft Security (Microsoft 365 Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel)
• Endpoint Detection and Response (Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, etc.)
• IDS/IPS technologies (Trellix/FireEye, Corelight)
• Threat intelligence platforms (VirusTotal, Google Threat Intelligence, Cisco Talos, Recorded Future, MISP)
• Vulnerability management tools (Tenable, Qualys, Rapid7)
• Email security platforms (IronPort ESA, Abnormal.ai, Proofpoint)
• Cloud security monitoring solutions (Google Wiz, MDCA, Cortex Cloud, Sysdig)
• Secure Access Service Edge (Zscaler, Prisma, Netskope)
• Experience triaging security alerts, analyzing security events, and documenting incident investigations.
• Experience with cybersecurity frameworks, incident response processes, and threat detection methodologies.

Work Expectations

• Participate in incident response, escalation, and after-action review activities as needed.
• Support enterprise security monitoring for systems that process, store, or transmit sensitive information.
• Follow HHSC policies, procedures, standards, and applicable state and federal security requirements.
• Maintain accurate operational documentation, investigation notes, metrics, and leadership-ready summaries.
• Must be able to provide support outside of normal business hours during high-priority security incidents, as approved by the SOC Manager.