Security Splunk SME

As a Security Splunk SME at M9 Solutions, you will be responsible for designing and setting up the ingestion of various customer data flows, ensuring proper parsing and indexing. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate Splunk with a variety of data sources and develop knowledge objects such as queries, dashboards, reports, and alerts for robust monitoring and analytics. Additionally, your role will involve performing data transformations using Splunk Query Language, monitoring the health of the Splunk environment, and troubleshooting performance issues.

To qualify for the Security Splunk SME position at M9 Solutions, candidates must possess an active Secret security clearance. Proficiency in Splunk administration, SIEM operations, and enterprise architecture is crucial. Previous experience in administering Splunk for large organizations, managing user authentication, and integrating with technical add-ons is also required. Familiarity with DevOps and Scrum environments will be beneficial in this role, as we strive to optimize our services.

Essential skills for the Security Splunk SME role at M9 Solutions include intermediate-level proficiency in Splunk administration and operations. Experience with managing user authentication (RBAC/ABAC), integrations, and technical add-ons is required, along with a strong knowledge of Splunk Enterprise, Splunk ES, and ITSI. Additionally, familiarity with cloud environments and agile methodologies like Scrum will enhance your ability to excel in this position.

M9 Solutions embraces remote work, offering flexibility for the Security Splunk SME position. We believe that effective collaboration is key, so we provide the necessary tools and technologies to ensure seamless communication across teams. With a dedicated remote working environment, our employees can thrive while working from anywhere, all while contributing to meaningful projects that drive positive change in the federal space.

The compensation for the Security Splunk SME position at M9 Solutions ranges from $60,000 to $180,000 USD. This range is a guideline, and factors like responsibilities, experience, and market alignment will play a role in salary offers. M9 Solutions is committed to offering competitive compensation packages along with a rich benefits program to support our team's well-being and professional growth.

In your response, discuss your specific experiences and achievements related to Splunk administration. Highlight any large-scale deployments you've managed, your familiarity with configurations, and how you've optimized Splunk for efficiency. Providing examples where you've encountered challenges and how you resolved them can also showcase your problem-solving skills.

When answering this question, focus on the methodologies you employ to identify and resolve performance issues. Discuss monitoring tools you use to analyze system health, common performance bottlenecks you've encountered, and how you approach resolving index performance and search latency problems.

In your answer, outline the project scope, the types of data sources you integrated, and the approach you took to ensure effective data ingestion. Mention any challenges you faced during integration and how you overcame them. This can demonstrate your technical expertise and ability to work collaboratively across teams.

Discuss your familiarity with SQL and how you translate that experience into Splunk's Query Language. Provide examples of specific data transformations you've implemented and the impact on analytics or reporting processes. This can demonstrate your grasp of data handling within Splunk.

The interviewer is looking for your understanding of RBAC and ABAC. Discuss practical steps for creating user roles, managing permissions, and maintaining secure access using LDAP and Active Directory integrations. Highlight the importance of maintaining a balance between user productivity and security compliance.

Talk about your approach to data validation, including any pre-processing techniques you utilize before ingestion. Highlight the measures you implement to ensure data integrity and the importance of monitoring data flows and indexing accuracy for reliable analytics.

In your response, cover the key features of Splunk Enterprise that you've utilized, such as data indexing, dashboards, and alerting. Provide examples of how you've used these features to enhance an organization's data-driven decision-making capabilities and discuss any additional functionalities you've integrated.

Discuss optimization techniques you've applied, such as configuring data retention policies, ensuring efficient queries, and leveraging Splunk's built-in tools. Explain how these methods have helped improve query response times or overall system efficiency.

Share relevant experiences where you've contributed to a DevOps or Scrum team. Highlight how you've adapted your work processes to fit an agile methodology and discuss how you’ve collaborated with team members to enhance project delivery timelines.

The interviewer is interested in your passion for the field. Explain what drives you about working with Splunk, whether it's the challenge of solving complex problems, the satisfaction of delivering actionable insights, or the ability to contribute to enhanced cybersecurity. This personal touch can leave a positive impression.