Cyber Network Defense Analysts; CNDA

The Computer Network Defense Analyst uses information collected from a variety of sources to monitor network activity and analyze it for evidence of suspicious behavior. Monitoring and analysis are performed to identify and report events that occur or might occur within the network in order to protect information systems and networks from threats. CNDAs review data collected to analyze cyber events and the network environment to find trends, patterns, or anomaly correlations that indicate more serious attacks or future threats.

The CNDAs will recommend proactive measures to contain the incident. These proactive measures include but are not limited to identification of intruder local changes/suspect interactions isolation in‑depth digital media analysis consultation with law enforcement or counterintelligence organizations development of signatures to detect this malicious behavior and development and deployment of eradication tools.

• Characterize and analyze network traffic to identify anomalous activity and potential threats to network resources
• Coordinate with enterprise‑wide cyber defense staff to validate network alerts
• Document and elevate incidents (including events history status and potential impact for further action) that may cause ongoing and immediate impact to the environment
• Perform cyber defense trend analysis and reporting
• Perform event correlation using information gathered from a variety of sources within the enterprise to gain situational awareness and determine the effectiveness of an observed attack
• Provide daily summary reports of network events and activity relevant to cyber defense practices
• Receive and analyze network alerts from various sources within the enterprise and determine possible causes of alerts
• Provide timely detection, identification and alerting of possible attacks/intrusions, anomalous activities and misuse activities and distinguish these incidents and events from benign activities
• Use cyber defense tools for continual monitoring and analysis of system activity to identify malicious activity
• Analyze identified malicious activity to determine weaknesses exploited, exploitation methods, effects on system and information
• Determine tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for intrusion sets
• Examine network topologies to understand data flows through the network
• Identify and analyze anomalies in network traffic using metadata
• Conduct research, analysis and correlation across a wide variety of all source data sets (indications and warnings)
• Validate intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts against network traffic using packet analysis tools
• Identify applications and operating systems of a network device based on network traffic
• Reconstruct a malicious attack or activity based off network traffic
• Identify network mapping and operating system (OS) fingerprinting activities
• Assist in the construction of signatures which can be implemented on cyber defense network tools in response to new or observed threats within the network environment or enclave
• Notify designated managers, cyber incident responders and cybersecurity service provider team members of suspected cyber incidents and articulate the events history status and potential impact for further action in accordance with the organization’s cyber incident response plan

• Prepare and update manuals, instructions and operating procedures
• Evaluate established methods and procedures and prepare recommendations for changes in methods and practices where appropriate
• Plan and carry out difficult and complex assignments and develop new methods, approaches and procedures
• Conduct analyses and recommend resolution of complex issues affecting the specialty area
• Ensure optimal use of commercially available products
• Prepare and present reports
• Evaluate the effectiveness of installed systems and services

• U.S. Citizenship
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Ability to obtain DHS Entry on Duty (EOD) Suitability
• 5 years of direct relevant experience in cyber defense analysis using leading edge technologies and industry standard cyber defense tools – experience successfully…