Information Assurance / Security Specialist

Diverse Systems Group LLC•Bethesda, MD

About The Position

Diverse Systems Group, LLC is seeking an Information Assurance Specialist to support Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC)’s system security authorization processes in compliance with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Defense Health Agency (DHA)’s NIST RMF related policies and requirements. This role involves leading and performing Defense Health Agency (DHA)-specific Risk Management Framework (RMF)-related tasks throughout all stages of a system’s lifecycle, including stakeholder engagement, development of A&A or Threat Management Team project plans, preparation and maintenance of FIPS-199 system security categorization, and FIPS-200 system security controls exceptions. The specialist will perform risk assessments, analyze risk remediation and mitigation options, and develop, review, and submit Assessment & Authorization (A&A) system security packages. Key responsibilities include selecting and documenting applicable NIST 800-53 rev. 4 security controls, collecting and analyzing related security controls artifacts, participating in Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) activities, developing and tracking Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&M), performing Continuous Diagnostics and Monitoring (CDM)-related activities, and reporting status to leadership. The role also supports year-round maintenance of security posture to meet DoD RMF requirements and manages system security packages in DOD Enterprise Mission Assurance Support System (eMASS).

Requirements

5+ years of technical experience related to system and / or network administration and / or cybersecurity operations
Knowledge and experience with DOD RMF A&A artifacts, network architecture, network and security management and monitoring tools and penetration test tools
Experience with deploying & hardening Windows Server 2012 R2, Server 2016, Server 2019
Experience with PowerShell, Tanium, SCAP, NMAP, SQL Developer, Forescout, and/or Splunk
Large Enterprise-level IT experience with maintenance of servers, storage devices and applications
Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills
Strong planning & organizational skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills to include delivery of presentations and communication of technical concepts to non-technical personnel that may span organizations and functional groups
Minimum certification level of CompTIA Security+ CE or equivalent certification required in accordance with DoDI 8140 / DoDD 8570 requirements (IAM/IAT Level 2)
CISSP, CAP, CYSA, CISM, MSCE or equivalent certification required
DOD Secret security clearance required

Nice To Haves

Four-year college degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent. (Additional years of experience may serve in lieu of a degree)

Responsibilities

Lead and perform Defense Health Agency (DHA)-specific Risk Management Framework (RMF)-related tasks throughout all stages of a system’s lifecycle
Stakeholder engagement and development of A&A or Threat Management Team project plans
Preparation and maintenance of FIPS-199 system security categorization
Preparation and maintenance of FIPS-200 system security controls exceptions
Performance of risk assessments
Analysis of risk remediation and mitigation options and strategies
Development, review, and submission of Assessment & Authorization (A&A) system security packages
Selection and documentation of applicable NIST 800-53 rev. 4 security controls in systems’ Security Controls Traceability Matrices (SCTM)
Collection, development, and analysis of NIST 800-53 rev 4-related security controls artifacts
Participation in and organizational oversight of Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) activities
Development of and status tracking for Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&M)
Performance of Continuous Diagnostics and Monitoring (CDM)-related activities
Status tracking and reporting to leadership and organizational stakeholders
Supports the year-round work of maintaining security posture to meet DoD RMF requirements
Manage system security packages in DOD Enterprise Mission Assurance Support System (eMASS) throughout system authorization cycles, to include: system registration, uploading and maintenance of system security packages, Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&M) entry and tracking, and system decommissioning
Conduct and technology assessments, reviews, and technical inspections to identify and mitigate potential security weaknesses and to ensure all applicable security features and functionality are implemented and function as intended and required
Work in partnership with System and Network Administrators to perform self-assessment and hardening of workstations, servers, network devices, and clinical devices to include application of Secure Technical Implementation Guidelines (STIG) and running hardening and security artifact collection scripts and Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) and Assured Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS) scans
Develop and maintain cybersecurity-related training materials and delivery of training for users and System Administrators (SA)
Possess and maintain comprehensive understanding of federal security regulatory requirements and security frameworks including DoD/DHA IT Security and IA policies, RMF, NIST SP 800-series, FISMA, FIPS, FedRAMP, policies, directives, and publications etc.
Proactively maintain awareness and understanding of current and emerging threats and vulnerabilities and their potential impact on organizational mission accomplishment, patient safety, and security of patient data
Apply security patches, IAVAs, STIGS, and updates for all assigned systems
Provide support for the escalation and communication of status to agency management and internal customers and clearly communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical personnel
Implement and manage disaster recovery and COOP plans, systems, and operations
Works collaboratively with team to ensure the following; Maintenance of baseline system security according to organizational policies, cyber threats and vulnerabilities are mitigated, and information technology (IT) security principles and methods (e.g., firewalls, demilitarized zones, and encryption) are adhered to
Provide configuration management and accurately assess the impact of modifications and vulnerabilities for each system
Maintain thorough understanding of NIST 800-53 controls, and determine which controls are applicable to the application, as well as document implementation in Security Controls Tractability Matrix (SCTM)
Oversee the monitoring and resolving Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) to mitigate system vulnerabilities on assigned Information Systems
Ensures technical system documentation required for A&A packages are complete and clearly supports validation and ATO in accordance with system security requirements
Performs comprehensive A&A tasks including package development, controls analysis, risk assessment, contingency planning, security test & evaluation, risk mitigation analysis, and technology assessments
Utilizes application NIST and FIPS standards and guidance documents to register and complete accreditation packages in the DISA eMASS system
Leads the RMF accreditation lifecycle for assigned systems from cradle to grave, managing stakeholder engagement, lifecycle progression, schedule development, accreditation package review, submission and validation
Maintains and supports current and ongoing A&A packages to ensure an uninterrupted delivery of information technology systems for the organization
Creates, manages, and maintains setup documentation and security policies for compliance and accreditation purposes for all programs, projects, including SOPs, Policies, Procedures, Plans, guidelines, checklists, presentations, training guides, etc… in alignment with the DOD/DHA IT organizational cybersecurity needs or in accordance with RMF guidelines
Reports on assessment process status, participates in Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) activities, conducts/oversees IV&V testing as required, and assists system certifiers during evaluations
Reviews regulatory security policies, as well as best practices, and develop the technical solution required in order to implement those requirements on servers, routers, firewalls and other LAN/WAN equipment
Works with System and Network Administrators to monitor the security posture of all networked systems and applications and take appropriate steps to quickly deal with any vulnerabilities
Provides system, network, security engineering expertise and guidance for all aspects of information assurance, including those systems required to meet DoD regulations and requirements
Manages the cybersecurity program to minimize risk and exposure across projects
Oversee a team performing self-assessment and hardening of system servers, applying STIGs, SCAP and ACAS scans, and other scripts
Other duties assigned as related to the Cybersecurity Division