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Cyber Security Defense Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$93K - $126K/yr

What Cybersecurity Defense contributes to Cardinal Health Cybersecurity Defense focuses heavily on threat detection, incident response, and implementing security measures to protect our digital ...

Engage in cybersecurity defense activities addressing firewalls, electronic data traffic, and secure network architectures. * Support military cyberspace operations by applying deep engineering and ...

Performs Cybersecurity Defense & Analysis, Incident Response, Threat Analysis, Exploitation Analysis and Cyber Investigations from the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework.

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Cyber Security Defense information

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$57K

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$186K

How much do cyber security defense jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for cyber security defense in the United States is $132,962.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Cyber Security Defense roles?

Professionals in Cyber Security Defense often encounter challenges such as staying ahead of rapidly evolving cyber threats, managing high alert volumes, and ensuring clear communication across departments. Balancing proactive threat hunting with reactive incident response can be demanding, especially in fast-paced environments. Additionally, coordinating with IT, management, and compliance teams is essential to implement effective security protocols and keep the organization protected.

How much does the DOD pay cyber security?

Cyber security professionals working for the Department of Defense (DOD) typically earn salaries ranging from approximately $70,000 to over $150,000 annually, depending on experience, rank, and clearance level. These roles often require security clearances and knowledge of specialized tools and protocols.

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

To thrive in Cyber Security Defense, you need expertise in network security, threat analysis, vulnerability assessment, and a solid understanding of security frameworks, often backed by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or CompTIA Security+ is common. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure proactive threat mitigation, rapid incident response, and robust protection of organizational assets.

What is cyber security defense?

Cyber security defense refers to the strategies, technologies, and processes used to protect computer systems, networks, and data from cyber attacks, unauthorized access, and damage. It involves implementing measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, and regular security assessments to safeguard digital assets. Professionals in this field work to identify vulnerabilities, respond to incidents, and ensure that organizations remain secure against evolving threats.

Can I make $200,000 a year in cyber security?

Cyber security professionals, especially those in senior roles such as security architects or managers, can earn $200,000 or more annually, particularly with extensive experience, advanced certifications like CISSP, and working in high-demand industries or locations. Entry-level positions typically have lower salaries, but with experience and specialized skills, high earnings are achievable.

What can I do with a cyber defense degree?

A cyber security defense degree prepares individuals for roles such as security analyst, security engineer, or incident responder. Graduates can work in areas like network security, threat detection, and vulnerability assessment, often using tools like firewalls and intrusion detection systems, and may pursue certifications such as CISSP or CEH to enhance job prospects.

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

AspectCyber Security DefenseNetwork Security Specialist
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEHCompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA Security, CISSP
Work EnvironmentSecurity operations centers, incident response teamsNetwork infrastructure, enterprise networks
Employer & Industry UsageIT security firms, government agencies, large corporationsTelecommunications, IT departments, service providers
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on overall security posture and threat mitigationFocuses on securing network hardware and traffic

Cyber Security Defense professionals primarily focus on protecting an organization from cyber threats through monitoring, incident response, and security strategies. In contrast, Network Security Specialists concentrate on securing network infrastructure, including firewalls, VPNs, and network traffic. While both roles require similar certifications and often work in overlapping environments, their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

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

Cyber security professionals, especially senior roles like security architects or chief information security officers, can earn $500,000 or more annually with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. Achieving this level typically requires years of specialized work, strong technical skills, and often working in high-demand industries or organizations with large security budgets.
More about Cyber Security Defense jobs
What cities are hiring for Cyber Security Defense jobs? Cities with the most Cyber Security Defense job openings:
What states have the most Cyber Security Defense jobs? States with the most job openings for Cyber Security Defense jobs include:
Infographic showing various Cyber Security Defense job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,962 per year, or $63.9 per hour.
Director, Cyber Detection & Response

Director, Cyber Detection & Response

Cardinal Health

Saint Paul, MN • On-site

$111K - $151K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop and lead the cybersecurity detection and response strategy aligned with enterprise risk, threat landscape, and business priorities.

  • Oversee Security Operations Center operations, threat detection, incident response, threat intelligence, and security testing functions to enable rapid identification, containment, and remediation of cybersecurity threats.

  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives for detection and response capabilities, including threat hunting, incident simulations, and security tool optimization.


Cardinal Health rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 327 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

133rd of 877 rated healthcare providers


Job description

What Cybersecurity Defense contributes to Cardinal Health

Cybersecurity Defense focuses heavily on threat detection, incident response, and implementing security measures to protect our digital assets and infrastructure at Cardinal Health. The Director, Cyber Detection & Response is responsible for establishing, leading, and continuously enhancing cybersecurity detection, monitoring, and incident response capabilities to protect the organization from evolving cyber threats. Furthermore, this leader oversees Security Operations Center (SOC) operations, cyber threat detection, incident response, threat intelligence, and security testing functions to enable rapid identification, containment, and remediation of cybersecurity threats. This role plays a critical role in driving proactive defense strategies, improving detection and response capabilities, and ensuring alignment with risk and resilience objectives.

Location - Open to candidates nationwide working in a fully remote capacity, with preference towards those based in Central or Eastern time zones (willingness to travel into our Corporate HQ in Dublin, OH during certain period of the year is a plus)

Responsibilities

  • Develop and lead the cybersecurity detection and response strategy aligned with enterprise risk, threat landscape, and business priorities.

  • Establish governance frameworks and operating models for SOC, incident response, and threat management functions.

  • Serve as an advisor to leadership on threat trends, detection capabilities, and response readiness.

  • Drive continuous improvement of detection and response capabilities to address evolving threats and business needs.

  • Oversee SOC operations, including security logging, monitoring, alerting, and incident triage across the environment.

  • Oversee effective use of SIEM platforms to analyze correlated events, detect anomalies, and escalate potential incidents.

  • Lead the development and optimization of detection use cases, analytics, and monitoring strategies to improve visibility across the environment.

  • Oversee monitoring capabilities across IT and OT environments, ensuring coverage of critical systems and infrastructure.

  • Lead detection engineering and security tooling functions, including SIEM, SOAR, EDR, UEBA, and DLP capabilities.

  • Oversee the definition and implementation of use cases, rules, and configurations to improve automated detection, investigation, and response workflows.

  • Drive optimization and integration of security tools to enhance operational efficiency and reduce false positives.

  • Establish and lead threat intelligence capabilities to gather, analyze, and operationalize threat data from internal and external sources.

  • Oversee threat monitoring, analysis, and detection rule enhancement to proactively identify emerging threats.

  • Lead threat modeling activities to identify attack vectors, vulnerabilities, and control gaps across systems and processes.

  • Drive proactive threat hunting initiatives to identify hidden threats and indicators of compromise (IoCs) within the environment.

  • Lead enterprise incident response (IR) capabilities, including planning, testing, execution, and continuous improvement of IR processes.

  • Oversee incident response lifecycle activities including detection, triage, containment, eradication, and recovery.

  • Oversee incident response simulations and exercises to validate readiness and improve response effectiveness.

  • Enable effective coordination of incident response efforts across cybersecurity, IT, legal, and business stakeholders.

  • Manage breach notification processes and communication protocols for cybersecurity incidents.

  • Oversee digital forensics and investigative activities to determine the scope, root cause, and impact of cybersecurity incidents.

  • Ensure proper evidence collection, analysis, and documentation to support investigations and regulatory requirements.

  • Lead post-incident reviews and root cause analysis to strengthen detection and response capabilities.

  • Lead offensive and defensive security testing capabilities, including red teaming, penetration testing, and adversarial simulations.

  • Oversee blue team operations to detect, analyze, and respond to threats across enterprise environments.

  • Facilitate purple teaming activities to enhance collaboration between offensive and defensive teams and improve detection and response effectiveness.

  • Drive continuous improvement of security controls through testing, validation, and simulation exercises.

  • Collaborate with cybersecurity, IT, risk, legal, and business teams to integrate detection and response capabilities into enterprise operations.

  • Partner with architecture, engineering, and infrastructure teams to ensure detection and response requirements are embedded into system design and deployment.

  • Provide actionable insights and reporting to leadership on threat landscape, incident trends, and response effectiveness.

  • Support audit and regulatory activities by providing evidence and documentation related to detection and response processes

  • Define and track KPIs and KRIs related to detection, response, and operational performance.

  • Provide regular reporting to leadership on SOC performance, incident metrics, and threat trends.

  • Identify opportunities to enhance detection coverage, reduce response times, and improve operational efficiency.

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to mature detection and response capabilities.

  • Build and lead a high-performing cybersecurity detection and response team across SOC, IR, and threat management functions.

  • Develop team capabilities through training, mentoring, and structured career development initiatives.

  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

  • Ensure alignment of team capabilities with evolving threat landscape and organizational needs.

Qualifications

  • Ideally targeting individuals with 10+ years of experience in cybersecurity, with a strong focus on detection, incident response, and security operations.

  • Deep expertise in SOC operations, SIEM, incident response, and threat intelligence a plus.

  • Experience leading cybersecurity operations teams and managing complex incident response activities, a strong preference.

  • Strong understanding of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF) and regulatory requirements required.

  • Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts and risk insights to executive leadership.

  • Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

  • Experience in highly regulated industries, a plus

  • Experience with advanced analytics, automation, and AI-driven security operations, a strong preference

#LI-LP

#LI-Remote

Anticipated salary range: $135,400 - $208,100

Bonus eligible: Yes

Benefits: Cardinal Health offers a wide variety of benefits and programs to support health and well-being.

  • Medical, dental and vision coverage

  • Paid time off plan

  • Health savings account (HSA)

  • 401k savings plan

  • Access to wages before pay day with myFlexPay

  • Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)

  • Short- and long-term disability coverage

  • Work-Life resources

  • Paid parental leave

  • Healthy lifestyle programs

Application window anticipated to close: 07/01/2026 *if interested in opportunity, please submit application as soon as possible.

The salary range listed is an estimate. Pay at Cardinal Health is determined by multiple factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s geographical location, relevant education, experience and skills and an evaluation of internal pay equity.

Candidates who are back-to-work, people with disabilities, without a college degree, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Cardinal Health supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. Cardinal Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

To read and review this privacy notice click here (https://www.cardinalhealth.com/content/dam/corp/email/documents/corp/cardinal-health-online-application-privacy-policy.pdf)


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About Cardinal Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cardinal Health Innovative Delivery Solutions With over 45 years of experience in helping hundreds of hospital and outpatient pharmacies, we provide access to best practice strategies and tactics to control costs, improve workflow and enhance safety. Cardinal Health Innovative Delivery Solutions is one of the largest employers of acute-care pharmacist in the United States. Cardinal Health is the employer of choice for pharmacists because we offer a variety of career opportunities in pharmacy leadership, clinical specialties, remote order entry, business management, medication therapy management and more.

Industry

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Dublin, OH, US

Year founded

1971

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