Cyber Security Defender (Digital Forensics / Malware)

Who we are:

For more than 70 years, NATO’s mission has been to preserve peace and security in the Alliance for nearly one billion citizens. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) and its predecessors have worked tirelessly in providing the means that enable the connectedness and togetherness that keep our Alliance strong. We are the NCI Agency, a team of 3000 civilian and military staff in 29 locations throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

Our technology and cyber experts allow NATO to conduct critical operations, protect NATO’s airspace, make data-driven decisions, defend against cyber-attacks, secure NATO networks and maintain superiority in space. This is all possible because of our greatest force, our people. In order to keep this edge we aim to hire, train and retain the very best staff.

Our staff members represent both the diversity and unity of our Alliance. When you join the NCI Agency, you will be part of an organization where you can contribute authentically to the mission and purpose of NATO and help us keep our technological edge.

About the job:

Based in Mons, Belgium you will join the Agency as we embark on a journey to transform our IT services to support NATO’s Digital Endeavour. You will join NATO Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is responsible for planning and executing all lifecycle management activities for cyber security. In executing this responsibility, NCSC provides specialist cyber security-related services covering the spectrum of scientific, technical, acquisition, operations, maintenance, and sustainment support, throughout the lifecycle of NATO Communications and Information Systems (CIS).

We are looking for a driven and enthusiastic Cyber Security Defender who will take on the following roles and responsibilities:

• Plan and execute both static and dynamic code and Malware analyses/reverse-engineering and capture the results in a report which covers the technical aspects as well as the “so what?” for the decision makers and executives;
• Provide Digital Forensics and Malware Analysis support to the 24/7 Cyber Security Incident Response Team’s processes, mainly during normal working hours and on-call duties, sometimes including weekends and holidays;
• Develop and Maintain the Digital/Network Forensics and Malware/Code Analysis capabilities on deployable kits to support Cyber Security Incident Response and Threat Hunting;
• Support Cyber Security Incident Response/Threat Hunting Team covering one or multiple physical locations, including NATO Alliance Operations and Missions;
• Develop tools, scripting, automation and integrations to automate activities as much as possible, mostly using Python and PowerShell.

For a full list of duties, please review the job description on the NCI Agency career site.

About you:

The valuable knowledge and experience that you bring to this role are:

• Bachelor’s degree at a nationally recognised/certified University in a related discipline and 2 years post-related experience. Or exceptionally, the lack of a university degree may be compensated by the demonstration of a candidate’s particular abilities or experience that is/are of interest to NCI Agency, that is, at least 6 years extensive and progressive expertise in duties related to the function of the post;
• Extensive knowledge of malware analysis techniques and technologies;
• Excellent ability to recognise when an IT network/system has been attacked, be able to take immediate action to limit damage and to escalate the event to higher authority.
• Practical experience with cyber security in cloud-based environments;
• Proficiency in assessing security vulnerabilities of operation systems and software;
• Practical experience and knowledge of malware analysis and malware detection;
• Practical experience in the analysis of digital forensic artefacts in the context of cyber security;
• Good knowledge of the principles of computer and communications security, networking, and vulnerabilities of modern operating systems and applications;
• Good understanding of the MITRE ATT&CK framework and its applicability in Cyber;
• Good practical experience in Windows, Linux and VMware system administration;
• Good knowledge of cyber security incident handling;
• Practical experience in scripting (Python, PowerShell);
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

What we offer:

• Genuinely meaningful work as part of the most successful alliance in history;
• 3 year contract with competitive tax-free salary and household and children’s allowances;
• Privileges for expatriate staff including expatriation and education allowances (where appropriate) and additional home leave;
• Excellent private health insurance scheme;
• Generous annual leave of 30 days plus official holidays;
• NATO Pension Scheme;
• Development programs such as professional training, wellbeing, and more. 

To learn more about NCI Agency and our work, please visit our website. 

The NCI Agency prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment of mutual respect and value uniqueness and differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnic or cultural origin, age, religion, sexual orientation and physical or neurocognitive ability. 

Additional details on the conditions of application can be found via the NCI Agency career site.