Information System Security Officer (ISSO)

Kentro•UNAVAILABLE, UNAVAILABLE

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Kentro is hiring for an Information System Security Officer (ISSO) in support of a comprehensive cybersecurity modernization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled automation project for a U.S. Government program that includes cybersecurity engineering, defense operations, continuous monitoring, Risk Management, security assessments and compliance, and cybersecurity automation platforms. This modernization effort encompasses the security tools, processes, and workflows that support the client’s full cybersecurity mission — transitioning from legacy manual approaches to an integrated, automated, AI-enabled operating model that streamlines cybersecurity processes and workflows while reducing the operational burden and improving the overall cybersecurity posture of the client’s enterprise systems. The Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) is responsible for day-to-day Risk Management Framework (RMF) execution, continuous monitoring, and authorization support across assigned FISMA systems under the modernization effort. The ISSO serves as the primary point of authority for system security documentation, reviews and approves AI generated risk scoring outputs before they inform authorization decisions and maintains the compliance posture of assigned systems in coordination with the CISO, Authorizing Official, and program management. In addition, the ISSO is responsible for ensuring AI-enabled systems are developed, deployed, and operated in accordance with the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), applicable federal cybersecurity requirements, and organizational AI governance policies. In this role, the ISSO works closely with program management, system administrators, engineers, AI developers, cloud architects, DevSecOps teams, Information System Security Engineers (ISSEs), Authorizing Officials (AOs), and government stakeholders to maintain system authorization, implement security controls, monitor cybersecurity risks, and support continuous monitoring activities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related discipline. Equivalent experience may be substituted.
5-8 years of experience supporting cybersecurity or information assurance supporting civilian federal agencies or Department of Defense.
Experience implementing the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF).
Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-37, NIST SP 800-53, NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), FISMA, FedRAMP, Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and Continuous Monitoring (ConMon)
Experience with security documentation, system authorization packages, and audit support.
Strong analytical, organizational, and technical writing skills.
Ability to communicate (verbal and written) effectively with technical teams, program leadership, and government customers.
Willing and able to obtain and maintain Public Trust Clearance
Must meet updated ID requirements: https://www.gsa.gov/technology/it-contract-vehicles-and-purchasing-programs/federal-credentialing-services/get-appointment-help/bring-required-documents
If you do not currently meet the ID requirements outlined, you must be willing and able to update your current forms of ID in a timely manner to complete the suitability process successfully.

Nice To Haves

Experience with electronic governance, risk and compliance (GRC) tools such as eMASS, ServiceNow, etc.
Knowledge of Zero Trust Architecture principles, identity management, cloud-native security services, SIEM platforms, and endpoint protection technologies.
Familiarity with security tools such as RegScale, Splunk, Qualys, Tenable Nessus, CyberArk or similar solutions.
Familiarity with enterprise Windows, Linux, virtualization, cloud, DevSecOps and network environments.
Familiarity with AI/ML concepts, including model development lifecycles, data pipelines, and AI-enabled applications.
Experience supporting AI workloads in Microsoft Azure Government, AWS GovCloud or hybrid cloud environments.

Responsibilities

Serve as the cybersecurity lead for information systems and AI-enabled systems throughout the system development lifecycle (SDLC), delivery and operations.
Author and approve the System Security Plan (SSP) as primary approver under NIST SP 800-18.
Provide Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) oversight and sign off authority, coordinating with the Privacy Officer.
Review, execute and maintain Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) for platform automation interconnections.
Support 3PAO and FedRAMP Moderate assessment activities tied to SSP completion, ISA execution, and remediation of assessment findings.
Author and lead Security Privacy Impact Analysis (SPIA) efforts as required.
Implement and maintain the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) for AI-enabled systems in accordance with NIST SP 800-37, NIST SP 800-53, and applicable agency guidance.
Ensure implementation and continuous compliance with NIST SP 800-53 security controls.
Develop, maintain, and update RMF artifacts as required.
Review and sign off on AI generated SSP control narratives before submission. No AI generated content may be submitted without ISSO review.
Review AI Generated risk scores generated from RMF documentation before any authorization decision is made.
Validate the implementation of technical, operational, and management controls.
Support internal and external security audits, inspections, and assessments.
Coordinate vulnerability scanning activities and ensure timely remediation of identified vulnerabilities.
Review and analyze Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), Security Requirements Guides (SRGs), and vulnerability assessment results.
Track, document, and report POA&Ms, cybersecurity findings and POA&Ms remediation efforts and closures.
Support security authorization activities, including Authorization to Operate (ATO), Interim Authorization to Test (IATT), and system reaccreditation efforts.
Monitor system security posture through continuous monitoring (ConMon) activities.
Assess the security impact of proposed system changes.
Review system architecture, software releases, and infrastructure changes for cybersecurity implications.
Coordinate incident reporting and assist with cybersecurity incident response activities.
Maintain accurate cybersecurity documentation and security records.
Support AI governance activities by helping ensure AI systems meet organizational requirements for security, privacy, transparency, accountability, and risk management.
Define and maintain the authorization boundary for AI components, including models, training and inference pipelines, retrieval sources, and vector stores, and determine what sits inside the existing boundary versus what requires separate authorization.
Determine which NIST SP 800-53 controls require AI-specific tailoring or supplemental implementation guidance, and document the tailoring rationale in the SSP.
Support privacy threshold and impact assessments for AI components processing PII, including whether AI-derived outputs constitute a new use requiring notice.
Represent the system security position to the agency AI governance process, and align system-level AI decisions with agency AI policy and the agency AI use case inventory obligations.
Provide cybersecurity guidance to system administrators, developers, engineers, and program leadership.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, executive orders, and agency cybersecurity policies.

Benefits

paid time off
healthcare benefits
supplemental benefits
401k including an employer match
discount perks
rewards
education reimbursement for certifications, degrees, or professional development
flexibility for you to take a course, complete a certification, or other professional growth and networking
funds for activities – virtual and in-person – e.g., we host happy hours, holiday events, fitness & wellness events, and annual celebrations.
host and attend charity galas/events.