Cyber Malware Analyst

Description

Job Description:

Leidos is seeking an experienced Cyber Malware Analyst to join our team on a highly-visible cyber security single-award IDIQ vehicle that provides network operations security center (NOSC) support, including monitoring and analysis, cyber threat intelligence, email analysis, forensics, incident response, and malware analysis

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Network Operations Security Center (NOSC) is a U.S. government program responsible to monitor, detect, analyze, mitigate, and respond to cyber threats and adversarial activity on the DHS Enterprise.  The DHS NOSC has primary responsibility for monitoring and responding to security events and incidents detected at the Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) and Policy Enforcement Point (PEP) and is responsible for directing and coordinating detection and response activities performed by each Component SOC. Direction and coordination are achieved through a shared DHS incident tracking system and other means of coordination and communication.

Duties include dynamic malware analysis, maintaining a fly-away kit, and performing dead box forensics. The Malware Analyst will support investigating computer and information security incidents to determine extent of compromise to information and automated information systems.  The Malware Analyst will conduct comprehensive analysis of all types of computer code, particularly malicious code to discover unknown, suspicious or exploitation activity; will collaborate with analytical counterparts and across the U.S. Intelligence Community and apply knowledge of network fundamentals, open-source tools, and current implementation of those technologies in order to devise strategies to pursue access and exploitation of targets of interest, and will help cross train and mentor other NOSC Support Staff. The Malware Analyst should have experience in monitoring and detection, and incident response to support detection, containment, and eradication of malicious activities targeting customer networks.  The Malware Analyst will participate in briefings to provide expert guidance on new threats and will act as an escalation point for M&A analysts. The Malware Analyst may also be required to author reports and/or interface with customers for ad-hoc requests. In addition, the Malware Analyst may be asked to participate in discussions to make recommendations on improving NOSC visibility or process.

The Cyber Forensics and Malware Analysis Team provide support during core business hours (7am – 7pm), Monday thru Friday EST. Flexible start times are considered. Participates in rotating on-call schedule.

Primary Responsibilities.

• Perform long-term and time-sensitive in-depth technical analysis of malicious code (malware), analyze the inner workings, and develop defensive countermeasures.

• Conduct malware analysis using static and dynamic methodologies (e.g. debuggers [Ollydbg], disassembler [IDA Pro], sandbox execution, etc)

• Produce malware reports to disseminate to the watch floor and enterprise

• Perform technical analysis against target systems and networks, characterize target network capabilities and vulnerabilities, and support development of new techniques to exploit targets.

• Perform analyses of cyber activities to identify entities of interest; their methods, motives, and capabilities; determine malicious behavior; and recognize emergent patterns and linkages to visualize the larger picture of cyber-based operations.

• Discover unknown, suspicious or exploitation activity, and provide briefings of intrusion set activity to partner organizations/agencies.

• Write forensics and/or incident response reports, investigate computer attacks, and extract data from electronic systems.

• Perform technical analysis for exploitation of an identified activity that is of an unknown or suspicious origin.

• Help define requirements and identify gaps for performing remote compromise assessments

• Perform as a senior analyst and liaison between the customer and NOSC while performing remote assessments

• Train team members on analysis, tools and reporting.

• Work with the Splunk team to implement, enhance, or change existing use cases

• Pivot on the forensic data working with the Cyber Threat Intelligence team to determine if the malware is part of a larger campaign, how DHS is being targeted, and what further remediation is required

• Lead remote compromise assessments and produce final assessment report

• Provide input for NOSC improvement and identify visibility gaps for enterprise monitoring

• Potentially travel to other DHS locations (1-3 times/year) to support Incident Response investigations

• Develop and maintain SOPs and ROE templates

Minimum Requirements include:

• Top Secret/SCI clearance required, with the ability to obtain DHS Suitability

• Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field PLUS eight (8) years of professional experience in incident detection and response, malware analysis, and/or cyber forensics.

• In lieu of BS Degree, 12 or more years continuous cyber network and vulnerability/malware analysis experience will be considered on a case by case basis.

• Experience in supporting malware analysis and forensics in cyber operations, and/or federal law enforcement.

• Experience reverse engineering and analyzing malware and developing a malware analysis report

• Understand and utilize Threat Intel Frameworks (e.g. Cyber Kill Chain, MITRE ATT&CK, Diamond Model)

• Hands-on experience with Enase, FTK, FireEye HX, Volatility, Security Onion, Suricata, Gigamon, VMWare ESXi, Splunk

• Signature (e.g. Snort, Yara, Suricata) development/tuning

• Proficient working in Windows and Linux operating systems

• Experience with any of the following Malware tools: Wireshark, OllyDBg, IDA Pro, RegShot,  TCPDump, WinHex, Windbg, or PEid.

• Experience writing scripts/tools to develop an analysis capability to include applying basic analytic methods such as computer programming, (JAVA, Perl, C, etc.) and debugging programs.

• Experience related to the use of relevant CNO and SIGINT tools and databases used for the customer mission. Extensive knowledge about network ports and protocols (e.g. TCP/UDP, HTTP, ICMP, DNS, SMTP, etc)

• Experience with network topologies and network security devices (e.g. Firewall, IDS/IPS, Proxy, DNS, WAF, etc).

Must have at least one of the following certifications: 

SANS GIAC:GCIA, GCFA, GPEN, GWAPT, GCFE, GREM, GXPN, GMON, GISF, or GCIH
ISC2: CCFP, CCSP, CISSP CERT CSIH
EC Council: CHFI, LPT, ECSA
Offensive Security: OSCP, OSCE, OSWP and OSEE
EnCase: EnCE
Defense Cyber Investigative Training Academy: FTK WFE-FTK, CIRC, WFE-E-CI, FIW

Preferred Qualifications or Skills include:

• Proficient in one more of the following computer languages: Python, Bash, Visual Basic or Powershell in order to support cyber threat detection or reporting

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement hunt methodologies for fly away assessments and for the NOSC

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 45,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022.  For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

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Commitment to Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.