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Cyber Security Watch Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location: Washington, DC (on site) This position is part of DHS Cybersecurity Infrastructure ... Duty Officer. * The candidate must be detail-oriented and have strong analytical skills with the ...

Location: Washington, DC (on site) This position is part of DHS Cybersecurity Infrastructure ... Duty Officer. * The candidate must be detail-oriented and have strong analytical skills with the ...

Cyber Security Officer, Senior

Reston, VA · On-site

$104K - $134K/yr

Organizing and scheduling 24x7x365 operations in a cybersecurity,ITor related watch environment. * Consolidatingand reporting on daily performance and health metrics to provide ongoing situational ...

... for watch personnel, along with the work assignment for Cyber Security Network personnel (IAT ... Communications Officer (SCO), Chief Radio Electronics Technician (CRET) or temporary Ship ...

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Cyber Security Watch Officer information

See salary details

$29.5K

$94.9K

$170.5K

How much do cyber security watch officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for cyber security watch officer in the United States is $94,926.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $127,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Cyber Security Watch Officer?

A Cyber Security Watch Officer is a professional responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity threats and incidents within an organization. They typically work in security operations centers (SOCs), overseeing network activity in real-time to identify potential security breaches or vulnerabilities. Their duties include analyzing security alerts, coordinating incident response efforts, and ensuring proper escalation of threats to the appropriate teams. Watch Officers play a critical role in maintaining the security posture of an organization by ensuring continuous vigilance against cyber threats.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cyber Security Watch Officer?

To thrive as a Cyber Security Watch Officer, you need a solid understanding of network security, incident response, and threat analysis, often backed by a degree in cybersecurity or a related field. Familiarity with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, intrusion detection systems, and certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CISSP is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills ensure prompt detection and mitigation of threats, safeguarding organizational assets and maintaining operational security.

What are some typical challenges faced by Cyber Security Watch Officers during incident response?

Cyber Security Watch Officers often face the challenge of rapidly identifying and prioritizing threats amid a high volume of security alerts. During incident response, they must quickly assess the severity of incidents, coordinate with IT and security teams, and ensure accurate documentation under time pressure. Balancing the need for swift action with thorough analysis, while maintaining clear communication with stakeholders, is a common aspect of the role. Successful Watch Officers develop strong situational awareness and adaptability to manage these dynamic scenarios effectively.

What is the difference between Cyber Security Watch Officer vs Cyber Security Analyst?

AspectCyber Security Watch OfficerCyber Security Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP (preferred)CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH
Work EnvironmentMonitoring security alerts, real-time threat detectionAnalyzing security data, incident investigation
Employer & Industry UsageSecurity operations centers, government agenciesIT firms, corporate security teams

The Cyber Security Watch Officer primarily monitors security systems and responds to alerts in real-time, focusing on threat detection. In contrast, the Cyber Security Analyst analyzes security data, investigates incidents, and develops security strategies. Both roles require similar certifications and often work within security teams, but their daily tasks and focus areas differ.

More about Cyber Security Watch Officer jobs

What cities are hiring for Cyber Security Watch Officer jobs?

Cities with the most Cyber Security Watch Officer job openings:

What states have the most Cyber Security Watch Officer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Cyber Security Watch Officer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Cyber Security Watch Officer jobs?

For Cyber Security Watch Officer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Cyber Security Watch Officer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,926 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

Watch Analyst / Active Top Secret

Washington, DC • On-site

Peraton
IT Services • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Peraton rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton is currently seeking to hire a Watch Analyst for its' Federal Strategic Cyber group.

Location: Washington, DC (on site)

This position is part of DHS Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) 24/7 SCIF/Operations Center, which is the hub for staying on top of threats and emerging risks to our nation's critical infrastructure. Through this operation center, the federal government coordinates situational awareness and response to protect national cyber and infrastructure security.

Position Description:

  • The Watch Analyst will monitor classified databases, the ticket management system, subscription-based alerting services, cable and local news, social media, and other open sources for threats to the nation's critical infrastructure and global operations impacting national security.
  • The Watch Analyst should provide the initial triage and analysis of cyber, physical, and communication incidents to identify the severity of impact to critical infrastructure and determine the level of reporting or briefing required.
  • The candidate will work with a small team to provide accurate, timely, and actionable reports to our government leadership, law enforcement, federal stakeholders, and partners. The team will coordinate incidents affecting critical infrastructure through incident completion.
  • The candidate should be an experienced Operations/Intelligence/Cyber practitioner with the ability to work in a time-sensitive operational environment. Watch Analysts must maintain strict adherence to security protocols and confidentiality requirements in handling sensitive information.
  • Watch Analysts must be able to multitask, make quick decisions, and utilize critical thinking skills in a time sensitive environment under the direction of a federal CISA Duty Officer.
  • The candidate must be detail-oriented and have strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate data, synthesize information, and write reports.
  • The candidate is expected to understand the operation of all communications and information technology hardware and software utilized to perform daily functions. The candidate should have the ability to troubleshoot all equipment issues as needed and coordinate a resolution with the help desk.
  • Other services and support as needed or directed by the government client.
  • The candidate will work at a 24x7x365 Classified Operations and Watch Center.
    • Shifts are assigned based on the needs of the team and may include rotating assignments. 

#CISA

Qualifications

2 years with BS/BA; 0 years with MS/MA; 6 years with no degree

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree and 2 years of relevant experience.
    • An additional 4 years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
  • Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must have broad capabilities and expertise in research, analysis, and report writing skills. 
  • Must be flexible and able to work within a 24x7x365 operations support environment. 
  • Experience with open-source analysis and alerting systems.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office automation solutions.
  • Must have experience/expertise in one or more critical infrastructure sectors (as defined by HSPD-7 and the NIPP), cyber and/or emergency management. 
  • Must have Knowledge of National Incident Management System (NIMS) structure, emergency management operations, and background knowledge of one (1) or more critical infrastructure sectors.
  • Must complete FEMA IS-100.c, IS-453, IS-520, IS-545.a, IS-551, IS-700.b, IS-800.d, IS-860.c and IS-1300 before first day on the contract.
  • U.S. citizenship is required.
  • An active Top Secret security clearance required.
    • In addition, selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a favorably adjudicated DHS background investigation for continued employment. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Specialized operations center experience.
  • Experience in drafting and publishing national level reporting.
  • Experience with email triage and requests for information (RFIs).
  • Experience as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst in Joint Operations Center and/or Fusion Center.
  • Experience with cyber incident management and analysis.
  • Obtained Cyber certifications (i.e., CompTIA Security+)
  • Experience with Knowledge Management Systems and ServiceNow.
  • Has the ability to read technical cyber reporting, including IOCs and TTPs, and be able to extract the important information to provide clear and concise reporting for a non-technical audience. 
Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$80,000 - $128,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017