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Junior Cyber Defense Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

They are seeking a Cyber Network Defense Analyst II to support U.S. Government customers by providing incident response to cyber-attacks, monitoring network activity, and analyzing threats to protect ...

We are looking to hire a Mid-Level Cyber Defense Analyst to support a full range of cyber security services on a long-term contract in Washington DC. The position is full time/permanent and will ...

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 ...

The Senior Cyber Defense Analyst will serve as a senior-level cybersecurity operations professional ... Provide mentorship and technical guidance to mid-level and junior SOC analysts, contributing to ...

Cyber Defense Analysts - Senior

Washington, DC · On-site

$113K - $146K/yr

The Senior Cyber Defense Analyst will serve as a senior-level cybersecurity operations professional ... Provide mentorship and technical guidance to mid-level and junior SOC analysts, contributing to ...

Cyber Defense Analysts - Senior

Washington, DC · On-site

$113K - $146K/yr

The Senior Cyber Defense Analyst will serve as a senior-level cybersecurity operations professional ... Provide mentorship and technical guidance to mid-level and junior SOC analysts, contributing to ...

Required High School Diploma. * 8 years of demonstrated experience as a Cyber Defense Analyst. 2 years of experience can be substituted by a technical Bachelor's Degree. * Two years of experience ...

They are seeking a Cyber Network Defense Analyst II to join their team, responsible for securing the nation's cyber infrastructure, conducting forensic investigations, and analyzing network traffic ...

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Junior Cyber Defense Analyst information

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How much do junior cyber defense analyst jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for junior cyber defense analyst in the United States is $32.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $35.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior cyber defense analyst?

To thrive as a Junior Cyber Defense Analyst, you need a solid understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals, networking concepts, and threat analysis, often supported by a relevant degree or certification like CompTIA Security+. Familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, intrusion detection systems, and basic scripting languages is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you identify threats and work collaboratively within a security team. These skills and qualities are crucial for detecting, analyzing, and mitigating cyber threats to protect organizational assets.

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

AspectJunior Cyber Defense AnalystCyber Security Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CySA+CompTIA Security+, CISSP (entry-level roles)
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, security operations centers (SOCs), IT teamsBroader security teams, consulting firms, corporate IT departments
ResponsibilitiesMonitoring security alerts, basic threat analysis, incident responseSecurity assessments, policy development, threat analysis, incident management

The Junior Cyber Defense Analyst typically focuses on monitoring and responding to security alerts within a SOC, requiring foundational certifications. In contrast, a Cyber Security Analyst may handle broader security tasks, including assessments and policy development, often with similar certifications. Both roles are essential in cybersecurity teams but differ in scope and experience level.

What are some common challenges faced by junior cyber defense analysts during their first year on the job?

Junior Cyber Defense Analysts often encounter a steep learning curve as they adjust to rapidly evolving security threats and the use of complex monitoring tools. They may find it challenging to differentiate between legitimate and suspicious network activity, especially when under pressure to respond quickly to incidents. Additionally, analysts often work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where effective communication with senior analysts and IT teams is essential for success. Continuous learning and staying updated on emerging threats are key to overcoming these initial challenges.

What does a junior cyber defense analyst do?

A Junior Cyber Defense Analyst helps protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from cyber threats by monitoring security alerts, analyzing potential incidents, and assisting in the response to cybersecurity breaches. They often work under the supervision of more experienced analysts and help with tasks such as reviewing logs, conducting vulnerability assessments, and preparing reports. Their role is crucial in maintaining the security posture of the organization and preventing data breaches.
What cities are hiring for Junior Cyber Defense Analyst jobs? Cities with the most Junior Cyber Defense Analyst job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cyber Defense Analyst jobs? The most popular types of Cyber Defense Analyst jobs are:
What states have the most Junior Cyber Defense Analyst jobs? States with the most job openings for Junior Cyber Defense Analyst jobs include:

Cyber Network Defense Analyst II

Nightwing

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Nightwing is a company that provides advanced cyber and data operations services to meet the needs of its customers. They are seeking a Cyber Network Defense Analyst II to support U.S. Government customers by providing incident response to cyber-attacks, monitoring network activity, and analyzing threats to protect vital information systems.
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
Qualifications:
Required:
• U.S. Citizenship
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry on Duty (EOD) Suitability
• 5+ 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
• BS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, or related degree; or HS Diploma & 7+ years of network investigations experience
Preferred:
• Python programming experience
• Strong math and science background
• Experience with Carnegie Mellon SiLK tool suite
• 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+
Company:
Nightwing provides cyber, data operations, systems integration, and intelligence services for government and commercial customers. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in Sterling, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.