The CDNA 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, information systems, and networks from threats.
Responsibilities:
o Characterize and analyze network traffic to identify anomalous activity and potential threats to network resources
o Coordinate with enterprise-wide cyber defense staff to validate network alerts
o Document and escalate incidents (including event's history, status, and potential impact for further action) that may cause ongoing and immediate impact to the environment
o Perform cyber defense trend analysis and reporting
o 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
o Provide daily summary reports of network events and activity relevant to cyber defense practices
o Receive and analyze network alerts from various sources within the enterprise and determine possible causes of alerts
o Provide timely detection, identification, and alerting of possible attacks/intrusions, anomalous activities, and misuse activities and distinguish these incidents and events from benign activities
o Use cyber defense tools for continual monitoring and analysis of system activity to identify malicious activity
o Analyze identified malicious activity to determine weaknesses exploited, exploitation methods, effects on system and information
o Identify and analyze anomalies in network traffic using metadata
o Validate intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts against network traffic using packet analysis tools
o Identify applications and operating systems of a network device based on network traffic
o Reconstruct a malicious attack or activity based off network traffic
o Identify network mapping and operating system (OS) fingerprinting activities
o 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
Required Skills/Clearances:
o U.S. Citizenship
o Active TS/SCI clearance
o Ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry on Duty (EOD) Suitability
o 2+ years of direct relevant experience in cyber defense analysis using leading edge technologies and industry standard cyber defense tools
o Experience successfully developing and deploying signatures
o Experience detecting host and network-based intrusions via intrusion detection technologies (e.g., Snort)
o Experience implementing incident handling methodologies
o Experience implementing protocol analyzers
o Experience collecting data from a variety of cyber defense resources
o Experience reading and interpreting signatures (e.g. snort)
o Experience performing packet-level analysis
o Experience conducting trend analysis
Desired Skills:
o Python programming experience
o Strong math and science background
o Experience with Carnegie Mellon SiLK tool suite
Required Education:
BS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, or related degree; or HS Diploma & 4+ years of network investigations experience.
Desired Certifications:
· One or more of the following professional certifications: GNFA, GCIH, GCIA, GSEC, CASP+, CySA+, PaLMS, FedVTE
· GSEC (SANS401), Arcsight (or other SEIM solution), Network+, Security+
Freqently Asked Questions
A Network Based Systems Analyst in Arlington requires strong skills in packet-level analysis, cyber defense tools, and intrusion detection systems, differentiating it from broader network roles. Mastery in signature development and trend analysis is crucial, reflecting the region's high cybersecurity standards and government-related demands.
Arlington's cybersecurity ecosystem offers Network Based Systems Analysts exposure to advanced threat monitoring and federal defense protocols, accelerating growth into senior analyst or incident response roles. The city's concentration of defense contractors boosts opportunities for specialization in network intrusion detection and cyber defense strategy.
Daily tasks include analyzing network traffic for anomalies, validating alerts with cyber defense teams, and reconstructing attacks through packet analysis. Generating detailed reports and coordinating incident escalations are central, demanding vigilance and expertise in diverse detection technologies.
Base-One Inc highly values certifications such as GSEC, GCIH, and GCIA, which affirm expertise in cybersecurity defense and incident handling. Candidates with these credentials demonstrate readiness to manage sophisticated cyber threats aligned with the company's defense-focused operations.
Holding an active TS/SCI clearance is mandatory for this role, reflecting Base-One Inc's engagement with sensitive government projects. This requirement narrows the hiring pool but ensures analysts can access classified information critical for effective network threat analysis.
Arlington’s demand for Network Based Systems Analysts is notably robust due to its proximity to federal agencies and cybersecurity firms. This creates a highly competitive market with premium salaries and a preference for candidates possessing advanced clearances and hands-on threat detection skills.
In Arlington, VA, Network Based Systems Analysts typically earn between $85,000 and $110,000 annually, influenced by factors like security clearance, experience, and certifications. This range reflects the region’s competitive cybersecurity sector and cost of living.
Signature development experience enables analysts to create custom detection rules that improve threat identification accuracy. At Base-One Inc, this skill directly contributes to proactive defense, tailoring cyber tools to emerging threats and bolstering network resilience.
Analysts must navigate complex traffic patterns across classified networks, identify subtle anomalies amid high data volumes, and swiftly differentiate true threats from false positives. This demands deep protocol knowledge and proficiency with advanced packet analysis tools.
Arlington's cybersecurity culture emphasizes collaboration with federal agencies, rapid incident response, and continuous skill upgrades. Analysts benefit from a network of experts and must adapt to evolving compliance standards, shaping a dynamic and demanding work environment.
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