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Cybersecurity Graduate Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's Degree Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, Information Systems, Network Engineering, Computer Engineering and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum ...

Sr. Financial Analyst (IT Finance)

Brentwood, TN · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Graduate from anaccredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Finance,Accounting ... Finance experiencewith supporting various IT areas: cybersecurity, infrastructure, end ...

New

Cybersecurity Graduate information

See Tennessee salary details

$39K

$90.2K

$136.1K

How much do cybersecurity graduate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for cybersecurity graduate in Tennessee is $90,217.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,200.00 and $104,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cybersecurity Graduate vs Cybersecurity Analyst?

AspectCybersecurity GraduateCybersecurity Analyst
Required CredentialsDegree in cybersecurity, computer science, or related field; certifications often optionalRelevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+), some experience preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, training-focused roles, often in IT or security teamsOperational roles, monitoring security systems, incident response
Employer & Industry UsageInternships, entry-level positions in tech, finance, healthcareFull-time security teams across various industries

Cybersecurity Graduates typically start in entry-level roles with foundational knowledge, while Cybersecurity Analysts are experienced professionals responsible for protecting systems and responding to threats. The roles often overlap in skills and environment, but analysts usually have more hands-on experience and certifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cybersecurity graduate?

To thrive as a Cybersecurity Graduate, you need a foundational understanding of information security principles, networking, and risk management, typically backed by a relevant degree or certification such as CompTIA Security+ or CISSP. Familiarity with security tools like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability scanners is highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you identify threats and explain solutions to technical and non-technical stakeholders. These skills are critical for protecting organizational assets and ensuring a robust cybersecurity posture in a constantly evolving threat landscape.

What are some typical challenges a cybersecurity graduate might face in their first role?

As a Cybersecurity Graduate entering the workforce, you may encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing security threats, understanding complex organizational systems, and bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. It's common to work closely with IT teams and experienced security professionals to learn incident response, vulnerability assessments, and compliance requirements. Continuous learning and hands-on experience are essential, as is developing strong communication skills to explain technical issues to non-technical colleagues.

What is a cybersecurity graduate?

Cybersecurity graduates are individuals who have completed a degree or formal education in cybersecurity, equipping them with foundational knowledge and skills to protect digital systems and data from cyber threats. They typically understand topics such as network security, ethical hacking, cryptography, and information assurance. These graduates are prepared for entry-level roles in cybersecurity, such as security analyst, incident responder, or compliance specialist, and often pursue certifications to enhance their career prospects.
What are popular job titles related to Cybersecurity Graduate jobs in Tennessee? For Cybersecurity Graduate jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Cybersecurity Graduate jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Cybersecurity Graduate job openings:
Infographic showing various Cybersecurity Graduate job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,217 per year, or $43.4 per hour.

Information Assurance, Lead

L3HHCM20

Nashville, TN

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Lead, Information Security System Engineer

Job Code: 40592

Job Location: Nashville, TN

Job Schedule: 9/80 Every other Friday off! 

Job Description:

The Lead Cybersecurity Engineer serves as the accountable owner for cybersecurity implementation and validation across the program and broader product line. This role partners with program leadership, systems engineering, software, hardware, integration and test, network engineering, and government stakeholders to translate contractual, mission, and regulatory requirements into secure architecture, secure network designs, verifiable technical requirements, and objective evidence needed for authorization and operational use. The ideal candidate brings deep experience applying NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-171, and RMF principles in complex DoD or national security environments and can drive cybersecurity execution from design through deployment and sustainment.

Essential Functions:

  • Own cybersecurity implementation and validation for the program, ensuring security requirements are decomposed into system, software, hardware, and network designs and verified through analysis, inspection, testing, continuous monitoring, and closure of assessment findings.
  • Lead secure network architecture and interface protection activities across the product line, including boundary protection, segmentation, routing and switching design considerations, access control, logging, encryption, secure remote access, firewall rules, and integration with mission networks.
  • Define, allocate, and trace cybersecurity requirements for product line components and interfaces, and ensure alignment with NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-171, program security requirements, and customer expectations.
  • Develop, maintain, and deliver authorization artifacts including the System Security Plan (SSP), Security Assessment Report, Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), network diagrams, data flow artifacts, and privileged user guidance.
  • Coordinate vulnerability management, hardening, STIG implementation, scan execution, remediation planning, and closure of cybersecurity findings across development, integration, test, deployment, and sustainment.
  • Partner with engineering and program leadership to assess risk, recommend secure design decisions, and drive timely resolution of cybersecurity issues that affect cost, schedule, performance, or authorization posture.
  • Support cybersecurity test planning and execution, requirements verification, and evidence collection to demonstrate implementation effectiveness and readiness for customer review and operational acceptance.
  • Brief customers and program leadership on cybersecurity status, residual risk, compliance posture, and readiness.

Required Qualifications:

  • Secret clearance required at time of hire, and if required by the program, ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance at a later date.
  • Bachelor's Degree Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, Information Systems, Network Engineering, Computer Engineering and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience. 
  • Security+ or CISSP certification required.
  • 4 years of experience NIST SP 800-53 and NIST SP 800-171 and their implementation in system design, validation, and continuous monitoring activities.
  • 4 years of experience Windows and Linux security administration and networking technologies such as TCP/IP, DNS, routing, switching, VPNs, firewalls, and secure communications.
  • 4 years of experience DoD STIGs, ACAS, Nessus, SCAP, or similar hardening and compliance assessment tools.
  • 7 years of experience planning and executing cybersecurity verification and validation activities, including requirements traceability, test support, artifact generation, and remediation of findings from assessors and scanners.

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Strong analytical, written, verbal, and cross-functional communication skills with the ability to influence technical and program decisions.
  • Experience serving as the cybersecurity lead across a product line, family of systems, or other complex mission system portfolio.
  • Experience with embedded systems, tactical networks, platform security features, or hardware security evaluation.
  • Experience integrating cybersecurity into systems engineering, manufacturing, or fielded support environments.
  • Experience supporting customer assessments, control inheritance strategies, continuous monitoring, and long-term sustainment for operational programs.

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