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Cyber Defense Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

In the Cyber Operations & Analysis Technology Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, we research ... Creating game-changing capabilities for defensive cyberspace operations As an interdisciplinary ...

Tyto Athene, LLC

Senior Cyber Lead

Linthicum, MD · On-site

Provide technical leadership and oversight for Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) operations supporting DoD law enforcement, counterintelligence, cyber operations, and Defense Industrial ...

ICCU

Cyber Operations Supervisor

Chubbuck, ID · On-site

$109K - $147K/yr

The Cyber Operations Supervisor reports to the CISO and oversees a team of Information Security ... The role oversees and delivers an optimal mix of cyber defense technologies, platforms, and third ...

ASK Consulting

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Cyber Defense Analyst (278325)

Lehi, UT · On-site

$45.77/hr

Cyber Defense Analyst Location: Lehi UT (HYBRID) Duration: 12 months (Possibility of extension ... Security Operations: Participate in rotational opportunities across the CSIRT, including incident ...

SOSi

Cyber Intelligence Analyst III

Washington, DC

This role is responsible for producing and managing cyber threat intelligence, supporting intelligence-driven cyber defense operations, and providing analysis and reporting to support threat ...

SOSi

Cyber Intelligence Analyst III

Washington, DC · On-site

This role is responsible for producing and managing cyber threat intelligence, supporting intelligence-driven cyber defense operations, and providing analysis and reporting to support threat ...

SOSi

Cyber Intelligence Analyst III

Washington, DC

This role is responsible for producing and managing cyber threat intelligence, supporting intelligence-driven cyber defense operations, and providing analysis and reporting to support threat ...

Mizuho Financial Group

Cyber Defense

New York, NY · Hybrid

$325K - $350K/yr

Managing Director, Cyber Defense - Mizuho Americas The Managing Director, Cyber Defense, is a ... Lead operational teams to maintain a proactive security posture. Leverage AI to deliver

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Cyber Defense Operations information

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$20.5K

$56.2K

$136K

How much do cyber defense operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for cyber defense operations in the United States is $56,226.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30,000.00 and $86,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you make $500,000 a year in cyber security?

Cyber Defense Operations professionals can potentially earn $500,000 annually with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles such as security managers or chief information security officers. High salaries are often associated with senior positions, specialized skills, and working in large organizations or consulting firms. Entry-level roles typically offer lower compensation, and reaching such high earnings requires significant expertise and responsibility.

What is the difference between Cyber Defense Operations vs Cyber Security Analyst?

AspectCyber Defense OperationsCyber Security Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEHCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH
Work EnvironmentSecurity operations centers, incident response teamsRisk assessment, vulnerability analysis, monitoring
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, large corporations, defense contractorsIT firms, financial institutions, healthcare providers
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Cyber Defense Operations and Cyber Security Analysts both focus on protecting information systems, often sharing certifications and working in similar environments. However, Cyber Defense Operations typically involve active monitoring, incident response, and managing security tools, while Cyber Security Analysts focus more on analyzing vulnerabilities, assessing risks, and developing security strategies. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right career path or role within cybersecurity teams.

What are Cyber Defense Operations?

Cyber Defense Operations refer to the processes and activities carried out by organizations to protect their digital assets from cyber threats. This includes monitoring networks for suspicious activity, responding to security incidents, implementing protective measures, and continuously improving security posture. The goal of cyber defense operations is to detect, prevent, and respond to cyberattacks in real-time, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Cyber Defense Operations, and how can they be overcome?

Professionals in Cyber Defense Operations often face the challenge of rapidly evolving threats and the need to stay ahead of sophisticated cyber attackers. Managing high volumes of security alerts, prioritizing incidents, and maintaining effective communication across IT and security teams can also be demanding. To overcome these challenges, continuous learning, leveraging automation tools, and fostering a collaborative environment with clear incident response protocols are essential. Regular training, strong teamwork, and proactive threat intelligence integration help ensure effective defense and career growth.

What do cyber defense operations do?

Cyber defense operations involve monitoring, analyzing, and responding to security threats to protect computer systems and networks. Professionals in this field use tools like intrusion detection systems and firewalls, often working in 24/7 environments to prevent cyberattacks and ensure data security.

Is SOC an entry level job?

A Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst role can be entry level, especially for positions labeled as SOC analyst or SOC technician, which often require basic knowledge of cybersecurity tools and monitoring. However, more advanced SOC roles typically require prior experience, certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CISSP, and familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) systems. Entry-level positions focus on monitoring security alerts and supporting incident response activities.

How much does a cyber defense operator make?

A cyber defense operator typically earns between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with certifications like CISSP or CEH can earn higher salaries, especially in high-demand environments with security tools and monitoring responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Cyber Defense Operations, and why are they important?

To excel in Cyber Defense Operations, you need a strong grasp of network security, threat analysis, and incident response, typically supported by a degree in cybersecurity or information technology. Familiarity with tools such as SIEM platforms, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and certifications like CISSP or CEH is highly valued. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for detecting and responding to cyber threats. These competencies are essential for safeguarding organizational assets and ensuring rapid, coordinated responses to evolving cybersecurity risks.
More about Cyber Defense Operations jobs
What job categories do people searching Cyber Defense Operations jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cyber Defense Operations jobs are:
Cyber Defense Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cyber Defense Operations job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,226 per year, or $27 per hour.
Manager, Security Operation Center (Cyber Defense)

Manager, Security Operation Center (Cyber Defense)

7-Eleven

Irving, TX • On-site

$106K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 hours ago

7-Eleven rating

4.3

Company rating: 4.3 out of 10

Based on 809 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 48 rated convenience stores

Job description

7-Eleven is an iconic family of brands with over 86,000 locations, surpassing every retailer in the world. We revolutionize convenience, restaurants and fuel through cutting edge innovation - working hard to be the customer's first choice. 7-Eleven empowers our employees to "activate awesome" and make a meaningful impact in their stores and communities every day. If you're ready to grow, lead and make a difference, come join our team and help shape the future of convenience.
JOB SUMMARY:
You will be responsible for all aspects of Cyber Defense within 7-Eleven, reporting to the Senior Manager of Information Security Operations. You will have demonstrated ability to lead a team of technical specialists, have extensive multi-vendor experience and exceptional grasp of technical concepts. You are a proactive leader who takes ownership of issues and drives them to resolution. You will oversee a team of subject matter experts (SME) on behalf of 7-Eleven, to ensure the security of all corporate information from all threat vectors, internal and external. You will oversee projects and deployments of security tools to ensure an appropriate security posture, in a timely manner. You will participate in and oversee investigations into security incidents and violations, and will thus be responsible for sensitive information relevant to employees, contractors, vendors, etc. of 7-Eleven. As such, you will be expected to have the ability to pass a detailed background investigation, and maintain impeccable standards of confidentiality, morality, and ethics. You will ensure your team has the tools to produce their own career success and guide them to create that success. You will be challenged in a fast-paced environment and will ensure that your team's success in handling these challenges will not go unnoticed or unrewarded.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:
  • You are expected to use your broad-ranging expertise in security concepts to contribute to development of company objectives and principles and to achieve goals in creative and effective ways. You will act independently to determine appropriate approaches to new assignments, and lead your team members in their activities in these domains:
    • Incident response (to include triage, playbooks, investigation, write-ups, escalations)
    • Cyber Threat Intelligence
    • Forensic analysis
    • Threat Hunting
    • Ingestion of Indicators of Compromise, and distribution to enforcement mechanisms
    • Data loss prevention
    • Email security
    • Security Orchestration and Automation
    • Threat research and creation of compensating controls
  • Act as point of contact for 7-Eleven leadership to advance partnership opportunities between Cyber Defense Operations team and other business areas. Exercise independent judgment in determining appropriate methods and procedures on new assignments for team.
  • Create or approve professional development and training plans for your team. Ensure budget is requested for continued professional development of your team.
  • Prioritize taskings and projects for the team based on importance to accomplishment of business objectives. Ensure all team members maintain proper prioritization to maximize efficiency.
  • Develop job descriptions, conduct hiring interviews, and develop pipeline of candidates for future inclusion in 7-Eleven's cyber defense program.
  • Oversee or perform the solving of significant and unique issues where analysis of situations and data requires evaluation of intangible factors. Provide escalation support and both technical and organizational guidance for all Cyber Defense issues.
  • Lead design and architecture efforts for issues impacting future concepts in cyber defense and advise senior leadership about cyber defense products and technologies that can enhance 7-Eleven's mission by providing appropriate protection for all data on the network or sent/received to/from various public or private clouds, or the Internet at large.
  • Provide guidance to team members in defining cyber defense requirements for current and future state end-to-end architectures and platforms to advance security controls and the security posture of the business.
  • Collaborate with other managers in cross-functional teams to prioritize security risks, provide mitigation or remediation recommendations, and implement compensating controls.
  • Oversee or lead cyber defense architecture and third-party intelligence reviews.
  • Oversee team in performing cyber defense platform testing, vulnerability remediation, and operating system hardening to reduce attack surface.
  • Oversee team in performing proof-of-concept testing for cyber defense solutions under consideration for purchase and implementation.
  • Provide Information Security leadership with updates and metrics on effectiveness of cyber defense controls.
  • Manage development and maintenance of cyber defense policies, standards, processes and workflows.
  • Actively engage the vendor community to identify cyber defense products and technologies that can enhance 7-Eleven's mission by providing appropriate protection for all data on the network or sent/received to/from various public or private clouds, or the Internet at large.
  • Drive and exemplify 7-Eleven Leadership Principles in all you do.
  • Partner with the Security Operations Center (SOC) leadership in establishing metrics for performance and ensuring full support for escalation of events from SOC to Cyber Defense Operations team.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
EDUCATION: Bachelors/4 Yr Degree
YEARS OF RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE: 12+ years
YEARS OF MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE: 5+ years
CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: Preferred: At least one professional-level vendor-neutral certification in the Information Security arena (CISSP, CISM, GISP, etc.) as well as one vendor certification in the Information Security arena (Palo Alto PCSAE, Splunk Certified Developer, etc.)
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
  • Bachelors in related field, with Masters preferred, or equivalent experience
  • 12 years of related experience with Bachelor's, 10 years with Master's

Certification/Licenses
  • Preferred: At least one professional-level vendor-neutral certification in the Information Security arena (CISSP, CISM, GISP, etc.) as well as one vendor certification in the Information Security arena (Palo Alto PCSAE, Splunk Certified Developer, etc.)

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the individuals assigned to this job. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change the duties and responsibilities of this job to meet business and organizational needs, as necessary.
#LI-CV1
#LI-JJ1
If an hourly or salary range is included in this ad it represents the range 7-Eleven in good faith believes is the range of compensation for this role at the time of this posting. The Company may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in this state. This range may be modified in the future. No amount is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable under the terms and conditions of the applicable policies and plans. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, long-term incentive compensation, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.
For a general description of all benefits 7-Eleven is offering in the US for the position, please visit this link.
For a general description of all benefits 7-Eleven is offering in Canada for the position, please visit this link.

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About 7-Eleven

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As the world’s first convenience store, our top priority has always been to give customers the most convenient experience possible to consistently meet their needs. 7-Eleven aims to be a one-stop shop for consumers – a place people can always rely on to deliver what they want, when, where, and how they want it.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Dallas, TX, US

Year founded

1927

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