Responsibilities
The professionals at the National Security Agency (NSA) have one common goal: to protect our nation. The mission requires a strong offense and a steadfast defense. The offense collects, processes and disseminates intelligence information derived from foreign signals for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. The defense prevents adversaries from gaining access to sensitive classified national security information. On the offensive side of the NSA mission you will: – Execute computer network operations against foreign adversaries’ information systems and networks – Use advanced software applications for network navigation, tactical forensic analysis, and collection of valuable intelligence information – Research and implement solution sets to influence and enhance network offensive posture. On the defensive side of the NSA mission, as part of the Red, Blue or Hunt Team, you will: – Execute computer network operations against official US government organizations worldwide for the purpose of strengthening information system security (Red team) – Identify intrusions and vulnerabilities and recommend mitigation strategies and techniques to secure networks (Blue Team) – Identify, analyze and develop defensive measures to thwart advanced, state-sponsored intrusions of DoD and Federal Government networks around the world (Blue Team) – Conduct and support Computer Network Operations to interactively search for Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) and Indicators of Compromise (IOC) using enhanced data collection and analysis methods (Hunt Team) – Use advanced software applications for network navigation, perform tactical forensic analysis and collect valuable network data to proactively identify and characterize adversarial activity (Hunt Team).
Job Summary
The United States has experienced profound changes that impact the way the National Security Agency (NSA) conducts its mission. The explosion of Internet communications has created a need for the Computer Network Operations (CNO) mission. This very important mission includes computer network defense and computer network exploitation. In order to carry out these functions NSA is looking for IT Security Professionals who are highly skilled, want to stay on the leading edge of technology and impassioned about ensuring the United States maintains a strategic edge in cyberspace. These are NOT your average Cyber, Computer Science, Networking, or Engineering jobs! NSA is in search of top-notch cyber professionals with technical expertise and driving desire at the forefront of their field. We have positions in penetration testing, defensive operations, identifying cyber threats and vulnerabilities and building defensive capabilities, designing, developing, deploying, sustaining and monitoring state-of-the-art network solutions (WAN, CAN, LAN, DCN and Satellite communications networks) that are deployed across NSA worldwide. Help protect national security interests as part of the world’s most advanced team of cyber professionals! Proctored testing is required for consideration of this position. Only those who have been selected to move forward in hiring will be required to take a test battery. The test battery includes four sections. The first section measures your ability to draw conclusions based on available information. The second measures your knowledge in these topic areas: Fundamentals and Theory of Computing, Networking, Security, Windows, UNIX, and Programming. The third and fourth sections measure your previous work experiences and your work-related preferences and tendencies. Test directions will be delivered via the applicant’s provided email. Due to time sensitive communications regarding your application, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from accounts ending in @intelligencecareers.gov, @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com
Qualifications
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, or related field (e.g., General Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Forensics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Information Assurance, or Computer Security). Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: computer or information systems design/development, programming, information/cyber/network security, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, information assurance and/or systems engineering. Additionally, must have experience in network or system administration. Completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course), Undergraduate Cyber Training (UCT), Network Warfare Bridge Course (NWBC)/Intermediate Network Warfare Training (INWT), Cyber Defense Operations will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 20-24 weeks course will count as 6 months of experience, 10-14 weeks will count as 3 months of experience). ENTRY Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree and no experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate’s degree plus 2 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 2 years of relevant experience; or successful completion of CNO Technical Fundamentals Training (for example, ROC ICO certification or completion of FORGE 101-301) plus 2 years of relevant experience. FULL PERFORMANCE Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree plus 3 years of relevant experience; a Master’s degree plus 1 year of relevant experience; a Doctoral degree and no experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate’s degree plus 5 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 5 years of relevant experience; or successful completion of ROC Apprentice Exploiter (A*X) certification plus 3 years of relevant experience. SENIOR Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate’s degree plus 8 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 8 years of relevant experience; or successful completion of either ROC Journeyman Exploiter (J*X) or ROC Master Operator, or Red Team Journeyman certification, plus 4 years of relevant experience.
Competencies
The ideal candidate is someone with solid decision making and problem solving skills, ability to react quickly, and technical proficiency in several of the following areas: – Operating systems fundamentals (Windows and/or Unix/Linux) – System administration (Windows and/or Unix/Linux) – Network administration – Network traffic analysis – Penetration testing – Network security – Incident response – Computer and network forensics – Vulnerability and malware analysis – Low level protocol and packet analysis – Scripting and/or programming languages This position is well-suited for individuals who enjoy visiting network security websites, attending conferences such as Black Hat / DEFCON, setting up and maintaining their own network or competing in Capture the Flag events.