Assessment & Authorization (A&A) Analyst

Overview

Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Security Operations Center (SOC) is a US Government program responsible to prevent, identify, contain and eradicate cyber threats to CBP networks through monitoring, intrusion detection and protective security services to CBP information systems including local area networks/wide area networks (LAN/WAN), commercial Internet connection, public facing websites, wireless, mobile/cellular, cloud, security devices, servers and workstations. The CBP SOC is responsible for the overall security of CBP Enterprise-wide information systems, and collects, investigates, and reports any suspected and confirmed security violations.

Primary Responsibilities

• The selected candidate will apply experience as an Assessment and Authorization Analyst by evaluating CBP Information Systems being introduced to the environment to determine if they meet the required security standards and are authorized to operate within the CBP network, using the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) or similar methodologies.
• The candidate will be responsible for evaluating key points in the System Lifecycle, such as before its deployment or during major updates. Responsibilities may include creating security documentation (e.g., System Security Plan, Security Assessment Report) and obtaining the final authorization to operate (ATO).
• The candidate should be able to provide assistance in collecting information and answering questions in regard to many broad IT areas including, but not limited to: security management controls, access controls, provisioning and deprovisioning, transfers, separation of duties, configuration management, contingency planning, application security, business process controls, interface controls, and data management system controls.
• The candidate will be responsible for: conducting formal assessments and deciding whether the system is authorized to operate; conducting a formal assessment of the system’s security posture; evaluating whether security controls meet established standards and are functioning effectively; documenting results and making recommendations for improving security; recommending whether the system should be authorized to operate based on assessment outcomes; ensuring that the system has the necessary security controls to minimize risks.

Basic Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree coupled with 4-8 years’ experience in the Information Technology, Computer Science, IT, Information/Cyber Security field from an accredited college or university, or a Master’s Degree with 1+ years of relevant experience.
• Superior writing, communication and critical analysis skills.
• Deep understanding of Information Assurance, Information Technology and Information Management concepts, processes and procedures.
• Experience with supporting the delivery of large and complex projects on time and within budget in government organizations.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience as an ISSO supporting major federal information systems/applications.
• Working knowledge of the following policies: NIST SP 800-37, Rev 2, RMF for Information Systems and Organizations, DHS 4300A Policy and Handbook, CBP Information Systems Security Policies and Procedures Handbook (HB 1400-05D).
• Must be a US Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with CBP.
• DoD 8570 IAT III.
• CompTIA CASP+.
• ISC2 CGRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance).
• ISC2 CISSP.
• ISACA CISA.