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Defensive Cyber Security Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cox Automotive

Lead Cybersecurity WAF Engineer

Redan, GA

$122K - $204K/yr

This role will use their technical knowledge in implementing and using a web application firewall as a protective and defensive cybersecurity control. They will use their experience with networking ...

Cox Automotive

Lead Cybersecurity WAF Engineer

Vinnings, GA · On-site

$122K - $204K/yr

This role will use their technical knowledge in implementing and using a web application firewall as a protective and defensive cybersecurity control. They will use their experience with networking ...

Cox Automotive

Lead Cybersecurity WAF Engineer

Decatur, GA · On-site

$122K - $204K/yr

This role will use their technical knowledge in implementing and using a web application firewall as a protective and defensive cybersecurity control. They will use their experience with networking ...

Cox Automotive

Lead Cybersecurity WAF Engineer

Redan, GA · On-site

$122K - $204K/yr

This role will use their technical knowledge in implementing and using a web application firewall as a protective and defensive cybersecurity control. They will use their experience with networking ...

Cox Automotive

Lead Cybersecurity WAF Engineer

Conley, GA · On-site

$122K - $204K/yr

This role will use their technical knowledge in implementing and using a web application firewall as a protective and defensive cybersecurity control. They will use their experience with networking ...

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How much do defensive cyber security jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for defensive cyber security 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 defensive cyber security roles?

One of the main challenges in defensive cyber security is staying ahead of constantly evolving threats, as attackers regularly develop new methods to bypass security measures. Professionals in this role must also balance implementing strong security protocols with maintaining usability for end users. Additionally, responding to incidents often requires quick, coordinated action with other IT teams and clear communication with non-technical stakeholders. Ongoing learning and adapting to new technologies are essential for career growth in this fast-paced field.

What is defensive cyber security?

Defensive cyber security refers to the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, and damage. Professionals in this field implement security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security policies to prevent and respond to cyber threats. Their main goal is to safeguard information and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of digital assets. Defensive cyber security is essential for organizations to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and comply with regulatory requirements.

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

To thrive as a Defensive Cyber Security professional, you need a solid understanding of network security, threat analysis, and incident response, typically backed by a relevant degree and industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or CISSP. Familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and endpoint protection platforms is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication set top professionals apart in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for proactively identifying vulnerabilities, mitigating threats, and safeguarding organizational assets.

What is the difference between Defensive Cyber Security vs Security Analyst?

AspectDefensive Cyber SecuritySecurity Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEHCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH
Work EnvironmentSecurity teams, cybersecurity firms, IT departmentsSecurity teams, cybersecurity firms, IT departments
Employer & IndustryAny industry with IT infrastructure, government, finance, healthcareAny industry with IT infrastructure, government, finance, healthcare

Defensive Cyber Security focuses on protecting systems through firewalls, intrusion detection, and security protocols. Security Analysts monitor, analyze, and respond to security incidents. While both roles require similar certifications and work environments, Defensive Cyber Security emphasizes proactive defense strategies, whereas Security Analysts focus on incident response and analysis.

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Defensive Cyber Security jobs near you
Lead Cybersecurity WAF Engineer

Lead Cybersecurity WAF Engineer

Cox Automotive

Redan, GA

$122K - $204K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted yesterday

Cox Automotive rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 134 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

90th of 138 rated financial services

Job description

The Lead Cybersecurity Web Application Firewall (WAF) Engineer is the enterprise's foremost expert and strategic owner of WAF and application-edge security. This role sets the vision, strategy, and standards that govern how public-facing applications are protected across Cox Automotive.
The Lead Engineer drives the architecture of WAF implementations, leads complex threat response efforts, advances automation and logging capabilities, and partners with cross-functional engineering, cybersecurity, and business teams to ensure resilient, scalable, and modern WAF protections. Main responsibilities are tuning and improving security policies, implementing the WAF for new public websites based on established architecture patterns, and participating in security events to use the WAF as a protective and defensive measure against threat actors.
This role will use their technical knowledge in implementing and using a web application firewall as a protective and defensive cybersecurity control. They will use their experience with networking concepts such as DNS, HTTP/S, and edge services to route website traffic, understand how web applications and mobile applications are designed to use client-server communication, and must be able to partner with cross-functional teams throughout the organization.
This role will report directly to the Senior Manager of Application Security at Cox Automotive.
What You'll Do:
  • Own and champion the enterprise WAF, shaping its strategy, patterns, and standards in partnership with the architecture team. We're looking for someone who lives and breathes WAF and can elevate security for all public-facing sites and APIs.
  • Analyze WAF rules to identify improvements and explain recommended changes to improve the protections the WAF provides.
  • Collaborating with security architecture on long-term WAF strategy, including technology standards, architectural patterns, and security roadmaps.
  • Author and maintain runbooks, playbooks, and threat specific WAF tuning strategies. Lead the creation and continuous improvement of runbooks, playbooks, and automated detection/triggers.
  • Perform cyber engineering trend analysis and reporting, defining and recommending tool, infrastructure and other improvements.
  • Proposes and helps review plans and policies to improve the overall security environment.
  • Participate in security events and incident response (e.g., botnet traffic spikes, Layer 7 attacks) to identify gaps in current design and propose solutions to prevent threats from reoccurring.
  • Research and evaluate emerging security trends, threats, and technologies, and recommend appropriate solutions and enhancements.
  • Partnering closely with AppSec, Cyber Defense, and Engineering teams for secure-by-default adoption.

Who Are You:
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 6 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 4 years' experience; a Ph.D. and 1 year of experience; or 18 years' experience in a related field
  • At least 4 years focused on cybersecurity with at least 2 years managing enterprise WAF.
  • Demonstrated expert level experience architecting, implementing, and operating enterprise WAF solutions across multiple environments.
  • Must have deep knowledge of how network traffic routes between clients and servers across the internet (e.g., DNS, HTTP/S, CDN/edge routing).
  • Clearly articulate the objective of specific cybersecurity policies and procedures to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Proven experience leading technical initiatives and mentoring engineering teams.
  • Excellent customer service skills, writing, and presentation skills.
  • Develop a strong and productive working environment with key stakeholders and collaborate closely with other Cox entities' cybersecurity teams to implement cybersecurity best practices.
  • Consultative nature to work through controversial or complex topics to employees, leaders, and/or senior leadership.
  • Proficient in Python and Terraform.
  • Creatively solving complex cybersecurity challenges while exhibiting solid, pragmatic business acumen.
  • Experience utilizing Agile methodologies and DevSecOps.
  • Initiating change and deploying solutions in Fortune 1000 companies.
  • Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., ISO 27000, NIST, FFIEC) and industry relevant regulations that will guide architectural requirements (e.g., GDPR, FFIEC, GLBA).

Preferred Qualifications
  • Knowledge of current cybersecurity and technology architectures such as zero trust, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, virtualization, and containerization.
  • A strong understanding of cloud containers and/or serverless platforms (e.g., EKS, ECS, Lambda, Fargate).
  • Experience with security testing tools such as Fortify, BurpSuite, and Wiz.
  • Extensive technology knowledge and recognized expertise in several areas including .NET framework, Mono, Spring frameworks, Oracle, serverless, cloud patterns, cloud service and user authentication or similar.
  • Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and services and on-premises infrastructure.
  • Experience in the development and design of cybersecurity standard methodologies to all layers of the hosting and application stack in both cloud and on-premises environments.
  • Knowledge of Identity and Access Management (IAM), cryptography / key management, secrets management, access controls and security protocols (e.g., multi-factor, SAML, OAuth, OIDC).
  • Experience with firewall, web application firewalls, and other edge services as well as deep understanding of DMZ and other network architectures.
  • AWS Well-Architected Framework.
  • Experience in national critical infrastructure industries (telecommunications, financial services, defense, government, etc.).
  • Big four consulting or Fortune 500 company experience.
  • Relevant industry certification (e.g., CISSP, CEH, OSCP, Azure, AWS, CISM, CISA).

USD 122,600.00 - 204,400.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $122,600.00 - $204,400.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
EOE, including disability/vets

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About Cox Automotive

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Cox Automotive, people of every background are driven by their passion for mobility, innovation and community. We transform the way the world buys, sells, owns and uses cars, accelerating the industry with global powerhouse brands like Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim and more. What's more, we do it all with an emphasis on employee growth and happiness. Drive your future forward and join Cox Automotive today! Cox empowers employees to build a better future and has been doing so for over 120 years. With exciting investments and innovations across transportation, communications, cleantech and healthcare, our family of businesses - which includes Cox Automotive and Cox Communications - is forging a better future for us all. Ready to make your mark? Join us today! Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page . Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual's age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship. Statement to ALL Third-Party Agencies and Similar Organizations: Cox accepts resumes only from agencies with which we formally engage their services. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, Cox employees, Cox hiring manager, or send to any Cox facility. Cox is not responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited resumes.

Industry

Automobile dealers and technology, communication and media

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Atlanta, GA, US

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