Cyber Network Defense Analyst (CNDA)/Network Based Systems Analyst

As a Cyber Network Defense Analyst (CNDA) at Node, your primary responsibilities include assisting in preliminary incident response investigations, analyzing anomalous network activities, and recommending security best practices. You'll work closely with the Government lead to determine appropriate courses of action in response to identified threats, collect network intrusion artifacts, and provide real-time incident handling support. Your expertise will be essential in maintaining the integrity of network devices and ensuring safe, secure data flow across the network.

To qualify for the Cyber Network Defense Analyst position at Node, candidates must possess U.S. citizenship and an active TS/SCI clearance. We seek individuals with at least 5 years of relevant experience in network investigations, strong knowledge of CND policies, and proficiency in TCP/IP protocols and network topologies. A degree in Computer Science, Cyber Security, or a related field is required. Certifications such as DoD 8140.01 IAT Level II, GCIA, GCIH, and SANS GIAC GNFA are highly desirable.

As a Cyber Network Defense Analyst at Node, familiarity with network analysis software, especially Splunk, is crucial. You'll also benefit from expertise in tools like Wireshark for network traffic analysis. Knowledge of non-traditional network traffic and experience with virtualized environments will significantly enhance your ability to perform your duties effectively.

Node is committed to the professional growth of its employees, including Cyber Network Defense Analysts. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401K, and paid time off. Additionally, we provide access to pre-approved online training and development opportunities to help you enhance your skills and advance in your career.

At Node, our workplace culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and excellence. We uphold our core values of a 'Mission First' approach, simplification of complex problems, and a commitment to agile delivery. As a Cyber Network Defense Analyst, you'll be part of a passionate team where your contributions are valued, and you have the opportunity to grow professionally while making a significant impact on our customers' missions.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of past incident response investigations you've conducted. Highlight your method for identifying and analyzing incidents, any tools you used, and the outcomes of your analysis. Emphasize your decision-making process and how you collaborated with team members or led investigations to resolve complex security issues.

This is a great opportunity to showcase your analytical skills. Outline your systematic approach to monitoring and analyzing network activity. Discuss the techniques and tools you use to detect anomalies, your understanding of traffic patterns, and how you prioritize different types of atypical behavior based on severity and potential threats.

Share a set of security best practices that you believe are essential for maintaining secure network configurations. Discuss topics like segmentation, access control, regular updates and patching, intrusion detection systems, and maintaining the principle of least privilege. Be sure to tie your suggestions back to real-world examples or prior experiences.

Talk about your commitment to continual learning in the cybersecurity field. Mention specific resources such as industry blogs, forums, training courses, or certifications you pursue. Highlight your involvement in relevant communities, conferences, or networking opportunities that keep you informed about the latest trends and best practices in computer network defense.

For this question, explain your understanding of TCP/IP protocols and how they function within different networking environments. Discuss your experience with key protocols such as HTTP/S, DNS, SMTP, and others, highlighting any specific projects or situations where you had to deploy or troubleshoot these protocols.

Provide insight into your methodology for examining network traffic data. Discuss the tools or software you use, how you identify patterns in the data, and your process for identifying signs of malicious activity. Mention any specific case studies where your analysis led to actionable insights or improved security measures.

Share specific experiences where you reconstructed a malicious attack. Discuss your approach, including any methodologies or frameworks you used, and the types of data you analyzed to build an understanding of the attack vectors. Highlight the lessons you learned and how they informed your subsequent incident response strategies.

Explain your knowledge of protocols and standards related to evidence preservation. Discuss the importance of ensuring chain-of-custody and how you document processes to maintain evidence integrity. Provide examples of how you have successfully preserved evidence in past investigations while adhering to best practices.

Detail your experience in working with remote teams or cross-functional groups. Discuss tools and communication strategies you use to coordinate efforts effectively. Emphasize your ability to maintain clarity and collaboration even when team members are spread across different physical locations.

Outline your response protocol if you discover a critical security weakness. Talk about the importance of typical escalation procedures, communicating threats to stakeholders, and recommending practical mitigations or interventions. Be sure to illustrate your analytical thinking and responsibility in safeguarding network integrity.