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Cyber Network Defense information

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$29.5K

$122.1K

$197.5K

How much do cyber network defense jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for cyber network defense in the United States is $122,108.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,500.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

Cyber Network Defense professionals can potentially earn $500,000 annually, especially at senior levels or in high-demand sectors, often with advanced certifications like CISSP or CISA and extensive experience. Achieving this income typically requires leadership roles, specialized skills, and working in high-paying industries or organizations with complex security needs.

What is cyber network defense?

Cyber network defense involves protecting computer networks from cyber threats such as hacking, malware, and unauthorized access. Professionals in this field implement security measures like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption, often requiring knowledge of network protocols and security certifications. Their goal is to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of organizational data and systems.

How much does a cyber defense operator make?

A cyber network 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 cybersecurity-focused environments.

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

AspectCyber Network DefenseCyber Security Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEHCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH
Work EnvironmentFocus on network security, intrusion detection, and defense strategiesBroader security analysis, risk assessment, and incident response
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in cybersecurity firms, government agencies, and large corporationsAcross various industries including finance, healthcare, and tech companies

Cyber Network Defense specialists focus specifically on protecting network infrastructure from threats, utilizing skills similar to those of Cyber Security Analysts. While both roles require similar certifications and often overlap in work environments, Cyber Network Defense emphasizes active defense and intrusion prevention within networks, whereas Cyber Security Analysts may handle a broader range of security tasks including policy development and incident analysis.

How much does a cyber network defender make?

A cyber network defender typically earns between $70,000 and $110,000 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 advanced security tools.
More about Cyber Network Defense jobs
What cities are hiring for Cyber Network Defense jobs? Cities with the most Cyber Network Defense job openings:
What states have the most Cyber Network Defense jobs? States with the most job openings for Cyber Network Defense jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cyber Network Defense jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cyber Network Defense jobs are:
Cyber Network Defense jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cyber Network Defense job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 56% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 12% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,108 per year, or $58.7 per hour.

Cyber Network Defense Analyst IV AP

Nwis

Arlington, VA

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers' most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.


Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers' most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.
Nightwing is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide support for onsite incident response to civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners who experience cyber-attacks, providing immediate investigation and resolution. Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize of the severity of breaches, develop mitigation plans, and assist with the restoration of services. Nightwing is seeking a Cyber Network Defense Analyst to support this critical customer mission.
The CDNA uses information collected from a variety of sources to monitor network activity and analyze it for evidence of suspicious behavior. Monitoring and analysis are performed to identify and report events that occur, or might occur, within the network, in order to protect information, information systems, and networks from threats. Responsibilities:
- Characterize and analyze network traffic to identify anomalous activity and potential threats to network resources
- Coordinate with enterprise-wide cyber defense staff to validate network alerts
- Document and escalate incidents (including event's history, status, and potential impact for further action) that may cause ongoing and immediate impact to the environment
- Perform cyber defense trend analysis and reporting
- Perform event correlation using information gathered from a variety of sources within the enterprise to gain situational awareness and determine the effectiveness of an observed attack
- Provide daily summary reports of network events and activity relevant to cyber defense practices
- Receive and analyze network alerts from various sources within the enterprise and determine possible causes of alerts
- Provide timely detection, identification, and alerting of possible attacks/intrusions, anomalous activities, and misuse activities and distinguish these incidents and events from benign activities
- Use cyber defense tools for continual monitoring and analysis of system activity to identify malicious activity
- Analyze identified malicious activity to determine weaknesses exploited, exploitation methods, effects on system and information
- Identify and analyze anomalies in network traffic using metadata
- Validate intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts against network traffic using packet analysis tools
- Identify applications and operating systems of a network device based on network traffic
- Reconstruct a malicious attack or activity based off network traffic
- Identify network mapping and operating system (OS) fingerprinting activities
- Assist in the construction of signatures which can be implemented on cyber defense network tools in response to new or observed threats within the network environment or enclave
Required Skills/Clearances:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry on Duty (EOD) Suitability
- 8+ years of direct relevant experience in cyber defense analysis using leading edge technologies and industry standard cyber defense tools-
- Experience successfully developing and deploying signatures
- Experience detecting host and network-based intrusions via intrusion detection technologies (e.g., Snort)
- Experience implementing incident handling methodologies
- Experience implementing protocol analyzers
- Experience collecting data from a variety of cyber defense resources
- Experience reading and interpreting signatures (e.g. snort)
- Experience performing packet-level analysis
- Experience conducting trend analysis
Desired Skills:
- Python programming experience
- Strong math and science background
- Experience with Carnegie Mellon SiLK tool suite
Required Education:
BS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, or related degree; or HS Diploma & 10 years of network investigations experience. Desired Certifications:
One or more of the following professional certifications: GNFA, GCIH, GCIA, GSEC, CASP+, CySA+, PaLMS, FedVTE, GSEC (SANS401), Arcsight (or other SEIM solution), Network+, Security+
Arlington, VA

At Nightwing, we value collaboration and teamwork. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. Together, we'll leverage our collective expertise to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and deliver exceptional results for our clients.


Thank you for considering joining us as we embark on this new journey and shape the future of cybersecurity and intelligence together as part of the Nightwing team.

Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

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