Computer Network Defense Analyst (CNDA): Level 1-4

Sentar•Fort Meade, MD

About The Position

Sentar is seeking Computer Network Defense Analysts (CNDA) at Levels 1–4 in Ft. Meade. Analysts use information from sources such as intrusion detection systems, firewalls, network traffic logs, and host system logs to identify potential vulnerabilities, respond to cyber events, and defend against future events. They help develop mitigations that strengthen network defenses and protect network infrastructure devices and systems. Work may involve traditional wired networks, wireless transport including Wi-Fi and cellular, collaborative platforms such as video teleconferencing, and supporting hardware and software. Analysts work with government, military, and contractor personnel to build shared understanding of intelligence needs, mission relevance, and areas of expertise. They use analytical methods to query, merge, enrich, evaluate, and pivot through data, then document and share findings and developed tradecraft with teammates, stakeholders, and intelligence consumers. Career growth may involve increasing expertise in networking protocols and architectures, cloud security, Internet of Things protocols, and advanced network security. The specific labor category is determined by years of experience and educational degrees.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
Degree in Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field. Up to 18 semester hours of relevant military training or coursework may be equivalent to an Associate degree.
Relevant experience in computer or information systems design/development, programming, information/cyber/network security, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, information assurance, and/or systems engineering.
Experience in network or system administration.
Applicable experience requirements vary by level and education: Level 1 requires 2 years with a bachelor’s degree or 4 years with an associate degree; Level 2 requires 2 years with a PhD, 3 years with a master’s, 5 years with a bachelor’s, or 7 years with an associate degree; Level 3 requires 4 years with a PhD, 6 years with a master’s, 8 years with a bachelor’s, or 10 years with an associate degree; Level 4 requires 7 years with a PhD, 9 years with a master’s, 11 years with a bachelor’s, or 13 years with an associate degree.
Relevant military training may count toward experience when not credited toward education requirements; specified 20–24-week courses count as 6 months and 10–14-week courses count as 3 months.
Where applicable, foreign-language proficiency may be used to satisfy experience requirements and must be substantiated by recent Interagency Language Roundtable scores. Total experience equivalencies are capped at half of the required years of experience.

Responsibilities

Use information from intrusion detection systems, firewalls, network traffic logs, and host system logs to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Respond to cyber events and defend against events that may occur.
Help develop mitigations to strengthen network defenses and protect network infrastructure devices and systems.
Analyze data by forming hypotheses, selecting analysis techniques, and querying, merging, enriching, evaluating, and pivoting within data.
Work with government, military, and contractor personnel to develop shared understanding of intelligence needs, mission relevance, and areas of expertise.
Document, contextualize, and share findings and newly developed tradecraft with teammates, stakeholders, and intelligence consumers.