This position is contingent upon contract award.

Candidates must have an active Secret clearance and verify, before applying, that you meet the minimum requirements of the position.

Cyber Defense Infrastructure Specialist

Location: Indianapolis, IN; Bratenhal, OH; or Columbus, OH
Clearance Required: Secret (Tier 5 / IT-I)
Work Schedule: Full-time, core hours with participation in after-hours security event support and on-call rotations

Position Summary

The Cyber Defense Infrastructure Specialist is a critical member of the DFAS DRAS-M IL-5 Cloud Tenant team, responsible for defending mission-critical Department of Defense financial systems against cyber threats. This role focuses on operating, maintaining, and enhancing the security infrastructure that safeguards DFAS cloud-hosted systems, ensuring continuous compliance with DoD RMF and IL-5 cybersecurity requirements.

The specialist will manage advanced cybersecurity defense tools, perform continuous monitoring, detect and respond to intrusions, and coordinate with the DFAS Cybersecurity Service Provider (CSSP) to implement real-time defensive measures. This position requires a blend of technical expertise, analytical ability, and operational experience in Security Operations Center (SOC) or cyber defense environments.

This role is ideal for cybersecurity professionals who want to directly contribute to protecting the integrity of the Army’s and DFAS’s financial systems by ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IL-5 enclave systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain cyber defense infrastructure including IDS/IPS, firewalls, antivirus solutions, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and VPN systems.
• Administer and configure SIEM platforms (Splunk, ArcSight, Elastic, or equivalent) to aggregate and analyze security logs.
• Perform continuous monitoring of IL-5 cloud tenant systems for intrusions, anomalous behavior, and compliance violations.
• Collaborate with DFAS CSSP to share threat intelligence, update detection signatures, and implement countermeasures.
• Conduct incident response activities including identification, containment, eradication, and recovery.
• Assist with forensic analysis, root-cause investigations, and after-action reviews of security events.
• Maintain compliance with DoD STIGs, NIST 800-53, and RMF requirements by documenting and verifying security controls.
• Support vulnerability management activities by validating remediation of system patches and mitigations.
• Assist in cyber defense exercises (red team/blue team) to validate the effectiveness of defense mechanisms.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and briefings for DFAS leadership to communicate threat posture and incident status.
• Train junior staff on defensive cyber operations tools and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or related technical field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in defensive cybersecurity operations within DoD or IL-5+ secure environments.
• DoD 8570 IAT Level II certification required (e.g., CCNA-Security, CySA+, CND, Security+ CE).
• Hands-on experience with intrusion detection/prevention, firewalls, VPNs, and endpoint security platforms.
• Proficiency with SIEM technologies such as Splunk, ArcSight, or Elastic for log analysis and threat detection.
• Strong knowledge of DoD STIGs, NIST 800-53, and RMF processes.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct incident response and forensic analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to brief technical and executive stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, or Information Assurance.
• GIAC certifications such as GCIH (Incident Handler), GCIA (Intrusion Analyst), or GCED (Enterprise Defender).
• Prior experience with DFAS, DISA, or other DoD enterprise financial or mission systems.
• Knowledge of cloud-native security services in Azure Government, AWS GovCloud, or Oracle Cloud.
• Familiarity with automated threat hunting techniques and integration of AI/ML into cyber defense workflows.
• Experience participating in red team/blue team cyber exercises or DoD cyber readiness inspections (CCRI).

JANUS strives to provide opportunities for career growth through training and development. We also offer an attractive comprehensive benefit package to include health and welfare plans and financial products. As part of a total rewards program, employees can benefit from our referral bonus program, and other various employee awards. JANUS Research Group takes pride in our benefit package and rewards program which has earned us the certification of a Great Place to Work™

JANUS Research Group provides reasonable accommodation so that qualified applicants with a disability may participate in the selection process. Please advise us of any accommodations you request to express interest in a position by e-mailing: Judy Pagac, Chief Human Resources Officer at judy.pagac@janusresearch.com or calling (706) 364-9100. Please state your request for assistance in your message. Only reasonable accommodation requests related to applying for a specific position within JANUS Research Group will be reviewed at the e-mail address and phone number supplied. Thank you for considering a career with JANUS Research Group.

JANUS Research Group participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click the E-Verify link below for more information.

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JANUS Research Group is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. It is company policy to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment practice without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, citizenship, or disability.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.