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Principal Consultant

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.

Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.  

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few! 

Job Description

Your Career

The Senior Consultant on the Offensive Security team is focused on assessing and challenging the security posture across a comprehensive portfolio of clients. The individual will utilize a variety of tools developed and act as a key team member in client engagements. They will be the client’s advocate for cybersecurity best practices and will provide recommendations in this domain. 

Your Impact

  • Conducts periodic scans of networks to find and detect vulnerabilities
  • Performs client penetration testing to find any vulnerabilities or weaknesses that might be exploited by a malicious party, using open-source, custom, and commercial testing tools  
  • Ability to assist in scoping engagements by clearly articulating various penetration approaches and methodologies to audiences ranging from highly technical to executive personnel
  • Report generation that clearly communicates testing and assessment details, results, and remediation recommendations to clients
  • Develop scripts, tools, and methodologies to automate and streamline internal processes and engagements
  • Conducts IT application testing, cybersecurity tool and systems analysis, system and network administration, and systems engineering support for the sustainment of information technology systems (mobile application testing, penetration testing, application, security, and hardware testing)
  • Conduct threat hunting and/or compromise assessment engagements to identify active or dormant indicators of compromise (IoCs) using Crypsis and Palo Alto Networks’ threat hunting tools (and/or client owned hunting instrumentation where applicable)
  • Conduct cloud penetration testing engagements to assess specific workloads (i.e., AWS, GCP, Azure, containers, or other PaaS and SaaS instances) for vulnerabilities and subsequently attempt to exploit identified weakness after receiving permission from client stakeholders
  • Provide recommendations to clients on specific security measures to monitor and protect sensitive data and systems from infiltration and cyber-attacks including response and recovery of a data security breach
  • Ability to perform travel requirements as needed to meet business demands  

Qualifications

Your Experience 

  • 5+ years of professional experience with risk assessment tools, technologies, and methods focused on Information Assurance, Information Systems/Network Security, Infrastructure Design, and Vulnerabilities Assessments  
  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of how malicious software works (i.e.-malware, trojans, rootkits, etc.)
  • Ability to modify known and/or craft custom exploits manually without dependence on consumer tools such as Metasploit
  • Knowledge of tools and techniques used to conduct network, wireless, and web application penetration testing
  • Familiarity with web application penetration testing and code auditing to find security gaps and vulnerabilities
  • Knowledge and experience in conducting cyber risk assessments using industry standards
  • Experience with penetration testing, administering, and troubleshooting major flavors of Linux, Windows, and major cloud IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS providers (i.e., AWS, GCP, and Azure)
  • Experience with security assessment tools
  • Knowledge of network vulnerability assessments, web and cloud application security testing, network penetration testing, red teaming, security operations, or 'hunt'
  • Knowledge of computer forensic tools, technologies, and methods
  • Assist in the development of internal infrastructure design for research, development, and testing focused on offensive security
  • Identified ability to grow into a valuable contributor to the practice
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Information Security, Computer Science, Digital Forensics, Cyber Security, or equivalent years of professional experience to meet job requirements and expectations or equivalent military experience required

Additional Information

The Team

Unit 42 Consulting is Palo Alto Network's security advisory team.  Our vision is to create a more secure digital world by providing the highest quality incident response, risk management, and digital forensic services to clients of all sizes. Our team is composed of recognized experts and incident responders with deep technical expertise and experience in investigations, data breach response, digital forensics, and information security. With a highly successful track record of delivering mission-critical cybersecurity solutions, we are experienced in working quickly to provide an effective incident response, attack readiness, and remediation plans with a focus on providing long-term support to improve our clients’ security posture. 

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  [email protected].

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

What You Should Know About Principal Consultant, Palo Alto Networks

Are you ready to take the lead as a Principal Consultant at Palo Alto Networks, where your expertise can shape the future of cybersecurity? In this remote role based in Australia, you'll dive into assessing and enhancing security postures for a diverse portfolio of clients. You'll utilize a range of innovative tools and methodologies to perform tasks like conducting vulnerability scans, executing penetration tests, and offering tailored recommendations to safeguard sensitive data. As an advocate for cybersecurity best practices, your communication skills will shine when articulating complex penetration approaches to both technical teams and executive personnel. Your knack for developing scripts, designing testing protocols, and conducting threat assessments will directly contribute to creating a safer digital environment for our clients. You'll also have the chance to explore cloud penetration testing across various platforms, including AWS, GCP, and Azure. At Palo Alto Networks, we offer you the opportunity to grow and expand your skills while working with a team committed to collaboration, integrity, and innovation. Your unique perspective is essential to our mission, and in return, we provide a supportive work environment with benefits tailored for your personal and professional development. Come join us and help us pave the way to a new era of cybersecurity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Principal Consultant Role at Palo Alto Networks
What are the primary responsibilities of a Principal Consultant at Palo Alto Networks?

The Principal Consultant at Palo Alto Networks is responsible for conducting penetration tests, performing vulnerability assessments, and providing strategic cybersecurity recommendations. They play a critical role in client engagements, ensuring the security posture is robust while advocating for best practices in cybersecurity across various platforms.

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What qualifications do I need to apply for the Principal Consultant position at Palo Alto Networks?

Candidates applying for the Principal Consultant role at Palo Alto Networks should have at least 5 years of professional experience in information security, particularly in risk assessment, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments. A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or equivalent military experience is required, along with extensive knowledge of security tools and practices.

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What kind of tools and methodologies will I be using as a Principal Consultant at Palo Alto Networks?

As a Principal Consultant at Palo Alto Networks, you will utilize a mix of open-source, custom, and commercial tools for penetration testing and vulnerability assessments. You'll also have the opportunity to develop scripts and methodologies to improve internal processes while conducting security evaluations across various IT environments.

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Is travel required for the Principal Consultant position at Palo Alto Networks?

Yes, the Principal Consultant role may require occasional travel to meet client needs. This travel is essential for in-person engagements, ensuring that you can effectively assess and improve security measures while fostering strong client relationships.

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What is the company culture like at Palo Alto Networks for a Principal Consultant?

Palo Alto Networks fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. As a Principal Consultant, you will be part of a team that values your unique contributions and encourages ongoing learning and development, supported by FLEXBenefits and various wellbeing resources.

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Common Interview Questions for Principal Consultant
What methods do you use for penetration testing?

In answering this question, highlight your experience with both automated tools and manual testing methods. Share specific approaches you’ve utilized, like black-box testing or white-box testing, and mention tools you’re proficient in, such as Burp Suite, Nmap, or Metasploit.

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Describe a time when you identified a major security vulnerability.

Provide a clear and concise example of a vulnerability you discovered, including the context of the situation. Explain the steps you took to identify the issue, how you communicated it to stakeholders, and what remediation actions were recommended, emphasizing your problem-solving skills.

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How do you keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats and technology advancements?

Mention specific resources like industry blogs, forums, certifications, and professional networks you engage with regularly. Demonstrate a proactive approach by discussing how you apply what you learn to improve your practices.

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Can you explain your experience with cloud security assessments?

Discuss your familiarity with conducting assessments on platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure. Relate specific experiences where you’ve identified vulnerabilities in cloud configurations or applications and explain how you helped clients mitigate those risks.

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What would you include in a security report for a client?

Outline key elements such as a summary of the findings, detailed descriptions of vulnerabilities, risk levels, and actionable remediation recommendations. Stress the importance of clear communication tailored to the client's understanding.

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How would you advocate for cybersecurity best practices to executive teams?

Share your approach for communicating technical concepts in a way that resonates with non-technical stakeholders. Use examples or analogies that make the importance of cybersecurity relatable, and discuss successful presentations you’ve conducted.

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What is your experience with automated security testing tools?

Detail specific tools you’ve used, such as Nessus or Qualys, and discuss how you leverage automation to streamline tasks and improve accuracy in vulnerability assessments while still emphasizing the importance of manual testing.

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What role does threat hunting play in your cybersecurity strategy?

Describe your understanding of threat hunting and its significance. Mention methods you've used to proactively search for indicators of compromise and how you've incorporated findings into broader security strategies.

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Describe your experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Provide examples of successful collaborations with teams such as development, operations, and legal. Highlight how teamwork is essential in identifying risks early and ensuring comprehensive security measures.

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How do you measure the effectiveness of security interventions?

Discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics you track to assess security effectiveness, such as the number of vulnerabilities resolved, trends over time, or changes in incident response times. This demonstrates your analytical approach to cybersecurity.

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Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.

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Full-time, remote
DATE POSTED
January 14, 2025

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