Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst

OSIbeyond • Rockville, MD

4d • Remote

About The Position

The SOC Analyst monitors, analyzes, and responds to cybersecurity threats across client environments. The analyst operates the SOC’s security tooling, investigates suspicious activity, contains and remediates confirmed incidents, and communicates findings clearly to clients and internal stakeholders. During each shift the analyst owns the live alert queue, triaging detections from the SIEM, endpoint, identity, and email security platforms; determining scope and severity; and executing or authorizing the appropriate response. Because the SOC operates on a shift model, the analyst is also responsible for the integrity of coverage: conducting structured handoffs at the end of each shift, reviewing existing alerts at the start of the Day shift, and ensuring that no detection, investigation, or client commitment is left without a clear owner. Beyond day-to-day operations, the analyst performs scheduled vulnerability scanning, conducts root cause analysis for security incidents, and identifies repetitive manual work that should be transitioned to automation. Performance is measured against response times, investigation quality, SLA adherence, documentation standards, and contributions to the continuous improvement of detection and automation. The SOC operates a two-shift model with 12-hour shifts. Each analyst is assigned to a fixed shift (Day or Evening) and does not rotate between shift times. The two shifts overlap for six hours (11:00 AM to 5:00 PM), providing a structured handoff window and dual-analyst coverage during peak business hours. Overnight coverage (11:00 PM to 5:00 AM) is provided by the SOC’s Tines automation layer, which performs enrichment, containment, and escalation according to documented playbooks. Escalations that exceed the automation’s authority are routed to the on-call SOC Analyst.

Requirements

• Two or more years of experience in security operations, incident response, or systems administration with a demonstrable security focus; managed service provider experience is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience investigating and responding to identity, endpoint, and email-based threats in Microsoft 365 environments
• Working knowledge of SIEM operations, log analysis, and alert triage methodology
• Understanding of common attack techniques and the MITRE ATT&CK framework, and the ability to map observed activity to adversary behavior
• Familiarity with endpoint detection and response, identity protection, and email security controls and their remediation actions
• Ability to perform disciplined, well-documented investigations
• Solid understanding of Microsoft 365 and Entra ID administration, including conditional access, authentication methods, and audit logging
• Working knowledge of Windows server and workstation operating systems, Active Directory, and core networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, firewalls, VPN)
• Familiarity with vulnerability scanning platforms and remediation workflows
• Comfort operating within an automation-first environment, including validating and troubleshooting the output of automated playbooks (Tines or comparable SOAR tooling)
• Basic scripting or query proficiency (PowerShell, KQL, or similar) sufficient to enrich investigations and validate data
• Disciplined ticket hygiene and documentation habits; ability to write clear, professional client-facing communications
• Reliability and self-management appropriate to a remote, shift-based role with defined coverage responsibilities
• CompTIA Security+ or CompTIA Network+ (or attainment within the first six months)

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting clients subject to CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, or similar regulatory frameworks
• Prior experience contributing to detection engineering or automation playbook development
• Experience in a 24x7 or shift-based security operations environment
• CompTIA SecurityX (CASP+) or other DoD 8140 Level II certification

Responsibilities

• Monitor client environments continuously for security threats using the SIEM, endpoint detection and response, identity protection, and email security platforms
• Triage inbound alerts by following the automated priority procedure; determine whether each detection represents a true positive, benign activity, or a tuning opportunity
• Respond to alerts where automation is unable to clearly determine legitimacy and/or severity.
• Work and complete assigned tickets in accordance with documented standard operating procedures and service level commitments
• Identify recurring false positives and submit detection-tuning recommendations to the SOC Manager and automation team
• Investigate security incidents including account compromise, business email compromise, social engineering, malware, and ransomware activity
• Through automated means and manual review, analyze servers, workstations, identities, and other assets suspected of compromise and accurately assess the scope and type of the issue
• Contain and remediate confirmed threats using approved automation workflows, scripts, policies, playbooks, and platform controls; escalate in accordance with the incident response plan when the situation exceeds the analyst’s authority or expertise
• Provide accurate, timely, and professionally written incident communications to designated client points of contact and internal stakeholders with the assistance of the SOC Manager or CISO
• Perform regularly scheduled vulnerability scanning across client environments
• Support client compliance objectives, including CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 requirements, by producing the monitoring evidence, logs, and reports required by those frameworks
• Contribute to periodic client security reviews with clear, data-supported observations
• Review the overnight Tines automation log at the start of the Day shift, confirm low confidence actions were appropriate, and remediate or escalate any exceptions
• While on call, respond to overnight escalations from the automation layer, take ownership of the incident, and document all actions taken for review at the start of the Day shift
• Identify repetitive manual investigation and response steps and submit them to the automation team as candidates for new automations or expanded playbooks
• Identify repetitive “false positives” for the SOC Manager to address
• Test and provide structured feedback on new detections and automation workflows before they are placed into production
• Track and document all work in the ticketing system with detail sufficient for a peer to resume the work without additional context
• Provide high-quality written and verbal customer service in every client interaction
• Meet all key performance indicators and notify the SOC Manager promptly when workload or circumstances place a KPI at risk
• Recognize when an assignment should be escalated and escalate without delay
• Support peers across both shifts and contribute to a collaborative, accountable team culture
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Complete training for and maintain awareness of cybersecurity risks, including insider threat, and the appropriate handling of CUI and other regulated data
• Treat client data and OSIbeyond data as sensitive, and do not disclose, release, or otherwise transfer it outside of OSIbeyond or client environments without written permission
• Follow cybersecurity requirements as described in the Employee Handbook and other OSIbeyond policies
• Immediately follow incident response procedures when a security incident or concern is identified
• Assist with the escorting or monitoring of visitors when working onsite
• Monitor alerts from the SIEM and related security platforms, conduct vulnerability scans, and review and update logged events

Benefits

• Medical Insurance - OSIbeyond pays 75% of the premium for the Employee's base medical plan
• Vision and Dental Insurance - OSIbeyond pays 75% of the premium for the Employee's plans
• Life Insurance - OSIbeyond pays 100% of the premium for the Employee's plans
• Short Term Disability Insurance - OSIbeyond pays 100% of the premium for the Employee's plans
• 401K - OSIbeyond matches up to 4%
• PTO/Holidays - 9 paid Holidays and accrual based PTO which increases with tenure, new hires start out with 2 weeks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed