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Cyber Defender Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the Team Our Cyber team builds AI systems and products that help trusted defenders understand and respond to cyber threats while improving the safety and reliability of frontier models in ...

National Security Policy Lead, Cyber

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$125K - $169K/yr

Support and promote collaborations with cyber defenders across the public and private sectors, including on model testing, red teaming, threat intelligence sharing, and defensive deployment of ...

National Security Policy Lead, Cyber

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$125K - $169K/yr

Support and promote collaborations with cyber defenders across the public and private sectors, including on model testing, red teaming, threat intelligence sharing, and defensive deployment of ...

Defense Cyber Analyst

Honolulu, HI ยท On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

The candidate is required to assist and execute on mission assurance strategies regarding protecting and defending cyber terrain, which identifies with a mission set. * The candidate personnel shall ...

Defense Cyber Analyst

Honolulu, HI ยท On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

The candidate is required to assist and execute on mission assurance strategies regarding protecting and defending cyber terrain, which identifies with a mission set. * The candidate personnel shall ...

Defense Cyber Analyst

Honolulu, HI ยท On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

The candidate is required to assist and execute on mission assurance strategies regarding protecting and defending cyber terrain, which identifies with a mission set. * The candidate personnel shall ...

Cyber Analyst

Quantico, VA ยท Remote

$105K - $155K/yr

This may include supporting national security missions to identify, neutralize, and exploit foreign intelligence cyber actors or detecting and defending critical infrastructure from cyber criminals ...

Cyber Analyst

Reston, VA ยท Remote

$105K - $155K/yr

This may include supporting national security missions to identify, neutralize, and exploit foreign intelligence cyber actors or detecting and defending critical infrastructure from cyber criminals ...

Cyber Planner

Colorado Springs, CO ยท On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

We are looking for a Cyber Operations Planner in the Colorado Springs, CO area. Responsibilities Essential Job Functions: * Overlays top priority USSF missions and assets cyber terrain requiring ...

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Cyber Defender information

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$34K

$112.9K

$176K

How much do cyber defender jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for cyber defender in the United States is $112,871.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,500.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cyber Defender, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cyber Defender, you need a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, network security, and threat analysis, often backed by a degree in information security or a related field. Familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or CISSP are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help Cyber Defenders respond to threats and collaborate with teams. These abilities are crucial for protecting organizational assets and ensuring robust defense against evolving cyber threats.

How does a Cyber Defender typically collaborate with other departments to enhance organizational security?

Cyber Defenders regularly work with IT, risk management, and compliance teams to identify and address vulnerabilities across systems. They participate in cross-functional meetings to share threat intelligence, coordinate response plans, and ensure security policies are consistently applied. This collaborative approach helps to quickly detect and respond to incidents, while also promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness throughout the organization.

What are Cyber Defenders?

Cyber Defenders are professionals who protect computer systems, networks, and data from cyber threats such as hacking, malware, and unauthorized access. They monitor security systems, investigate suspicious activities, and respond to incidents to prevent data breaches or damage. Their work involves implementing security measures, conducting vulnerability assessments, and staying updated on the latest cyber threats. Cyber Defenders play a critical role in ensuring the safety and integrity of digital assets for organizations.

What is the difference between Cyber Defender vs Cyber Security Analyst?

AspectCyber DefenderCyber Security Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP (preferred)CompTIA Security+, CISSP, GIAC certifications
Work EnvironmentSecurity operations centers, incident response teamsSecurity teams, risk assessment, monitoring
Employer & Industry UsageIT security firms, government agencies, large corporationsCorporate IT departments, consulting firms, government

Both roles focus on protecting information systems, but Cyber Defenders primarily respond to active threats and incidents, while Cyber Security Analysts analyze security data to prevent future attacks. The roles often overlap, with certifications and work environments closely aligned, making them key positions in cybersecurity teams.

More about Cyber Defender jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Cyber Defender jobs? The most popular types of Cyber Defender jobs are:
Cyber Network Defense Analyst (CNDA) - Cloud Forensics

Cyber Network Defense Analyst (CNDA) - Cloud Forensics

Argo Cyber Systems

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Cyber Network Defense Analyst (CNDA) - Cloud Forensics

Location: Remote / Onsite (as required)
Clearance: Active TS/SCI (DHS EOD eligibility required)
Company: Argo Cyber Systems, LLC - A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

About Argo Cyber Systems

Argo Cyber Systems delivers advanced cybersecurity and threat-hunting capabilities to safeguard federal and critical infrastructure environments. Our teams provide rapid incident response, digital forensics, proactive hunt operations, and continuous cyber defense across host-based, network-based, and cloud-based systems. We combine mission experience with innovation-empowering our customers to detect, disrupt, and defeat adversaries in real time.


Position Overview

Argo Cyber Systems is seeking Cyber Network Defense Analysts (CNDA) with deep Cloud Forensics expertise to support a high-visibility federal mission. The CNDA will lead advanced investigations into sophisticated intrusions across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, identifying attacker tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), correlating artifacts, and driving containment and remediation actions in partnership with government cyber teams.


Key Responsibilities
  • Conduct end-to-end forensic acquisition and analysis across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments (Azure AD/Entra ID, M365, AWS, GCP, SaaS).

  • Investigate identity-based and credential-abuse incidents targeting cloud control planes and hybrid identity infrastructure.

  • Correlate cloud telemetry (Azure Activity Logs, AWS CloudTrail, GCP Logs, VPC Flow Logs) and network evidence to reconstruct attacker timelines and validate indicators of compromise (IOCs).

  • Develop and deploy automated detection logic, threat-hunting scripts, and analytical playbooks using Microsoft Sentinel, Defender, AWS GuardDuty, and GCP Chronicle.

  • Produce comprehensive technical and executive-level reports, integrating findings across endpoints, networks, and cloud assets to inform threat containment and strategic recommendations.

  • Support continuous improvement of incident response procedures, forensics workflows, and threat-hunting operations.

  • Collaborate with Argo and government stakeholders to triage alerts, assess risk, and strengthen enterprise detection and response posture.


Required Qualifications
  • U.S. Citizenship and active TS/SCI clearance (with ability to obtain DHS EOD Suitability).

  • Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience conducting digital forensics and incident response (DFIR).

  • Proven expertise in cloud forensics, identity security, and hybrid infrastructure defense.

  • Proficiency in M365/Azure AD, AWS IAM, and SaaS investigative methodologies.

  • Deep understanding of SaaS/PaaS/IaaS architectures, including common attack vectors and defensive measures.

  • Skilled in evidence acquisition, volatile data capture, artifact analysis, and technical reporting.


Desired Qualifications
  • Scripting and automation proficiency in PowerShell, Python, Bash, or JavaScript.

  • Familiarity with Terraform, Kubernetes, Docker, CloudFormation, or Azure Resource Manager for automation and orchestration.

  • Understanding of MITRE ATT&CK for Cloud and adversary emulation techniques.

  • Strong communication and collaboration skills for working across multidisciplinary teams.


Education
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, or a related field
    or

  • High School Diploma and 10+ years of directly relevant DFIR experience.


Preferred Certifications
  • GIAC Cloud Defender (GCLD), GCFR, GCFA, GCFE, GCIH, EnCE, CCE, CFCE, CISSP, CCSP

  • AWS and Microsoft security/cloud certifications (e.g., Azure Security Engineer, AWS Security Specialty)


Why Argo Cyber Systems

At Argo, you'll be part of a mission-driven, veteran-founded cybersecurity team protecting America's most critical systems. We combine hands-on technical excellence with operational precision to outpace the threat. Join us to defend, detect, and innovate at the cyber edge.


Job Posted by ApplicantPro