Cyber Defense Analyst
About this role
Cyber Defense Analyst
Location: Suitland, MD
Clearance: Active TS/SCI
Leidos is seeking a Cyber Defense Analyst to join a mission focused team supporting the Navy's cybersecurity environment at the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) Hopper Global Communications Center (HGCC) in Suitland, MD.
In this role, you will serve on the front line of cyber defense, helping protect critical TS/SCI networks by monitoring and investigating cybersecurity alerts, identifying potential threats, and supporting proactive threat hunting activities. You will apply your experience in the Certified Network Defender (CND) discipline and knowledge of IT systems and networks to analyze security events, manage incident tickets, support intelligence gathering and analysis, and communicate findings to key stakeholders.
Primary Responsibilities
- Perform first line monitoring of security tools and conduct initial analysis of alerts for TS/SCI networks, including JWICS, ATLAS, and other networks for which HGCC is responsible.
- Monitor organizational cybersecurity tools for alerts, anomalies, and indicators of compromise.
- Investigate and perform initial technical analysis of cybersecurity alerts and events, escalating potential incidents to Tier 2 as appropriate.
- Create, update, and manage incident and event tickets within the approved ticketing system.
- Conduct proactive threat hunting activities to identify potential malicious activity and emerging threats.
- Perform wireless security scans of facilities and document and report findings.
- Correlate alerts and security events across multiple platforms to identify patterns, trends, and potential threats.
- Prepare and deliver operational and situational awareness briefings.
- Support annual cyber defense exercises.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Information Assurance, or a related area of study desired, with 5+ years of experience.
- 8+ years of relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree.
- Active TS/SCI security clearance.
- 5+ years of concentrated experience in the CND discipline, regardless of degree.
- 3+ years of professional experience monitoring and investigating alerts from cybersecurity tools.
- Experience with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems such as Splunk and Elastic.
- Experience with Network Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (NIDPS), such as Cisco FirePower and Palo Alto NGFW, as well as host based tools such as Trellix ePO, Microsoft Defender, and Tanium.
- Knowledge of scripting and coding languages such as Python, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, PowerShell, C, C++, and Java.
- Knowledge of penetration testing and red team tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as tools such as Kali, SamuraiWTF, Nmap, Burp Suite, sqlmap, and Metasploit.
- Knowledge of ticketing systems, report writing, and intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination techniques specific to cybersecurity.
- Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem solving skills.
Required Certifications
- Must possess one of the following certifications: CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Cloud+, EC Council CEH, GIAC GCIA, GIAC GCIH, GICSP, or Cisco CyberOps.
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If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
August 20, 2026For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
Company at a glance
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026.
Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers' missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes' Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes' America's Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute's World's Most Ethical Companies®.
Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos.
Your most important work is ahead, visit careers.leidos.com for our latest opportunities.
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