Cybersecurity Specialist - Evanston , IL

Position: Cybersecurity Specialist
Location: Evanston , IL
Duration: 4 Months CTH

Job Description:
This position seeks an experienced Cybersecurity Specialist who has extensive knowledge in cybersecurity and demonstrated proficiency in implementing companywide security initiatives. This individual is someone who has successfully implemented projects with respect to security compliance. He/she needs to have experience working on projects such as firewalls, VPN and data encryption. He or she will assist the IT Department in implementing all necessary cybersecurity related protocols and projects.

Position Responsibilities:

• Improve organization's cybersecurity maturity continuously with respect to the risks associated and the organization's budget and resources.
• Implement a series of planned security projects as defined by the IT Department such as Cisco Umbrella implementation.
• Assist the IT Department in determining the security gaps and concerns and provide a long-term security roadmap for future initiatives.
• Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
• Operationalize and maintain a security calendar of events to execute projects.
  • Conduct routine Vulnerability Tests on organization's infrastructure and systems.
  • Conduct routine Tabletop exercises.
  • Conduct routine data backup validation on application systems.
  • Renew all organization's application security certificates.
• Assist the IT Department in completing cybersecurity related questionnaires, surveys and insurance forms.
• Assist the IT Department in resolving business user security help desk issues.
• Monitor the performance and health of computer systems and networks.
• Maintain all environments, networks, and software applications in a secure and functioning state.
• Perform various other duties as assigned by the IT Department.
• Implement a series of planned disaster recovery and business continuity (DR/BC) projects as defined by the IT Department.

Required Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science is required; advanced degree is a plus.
• Any certificate or training completed associated with Cybersecurity is a plus.
• Proven work experience in implementing successful security-related projects.
• Experience with completing cybersecurity related questionnaires and surveys.
• Experience with obtaining certifications for companies (e.g. SOC 2) or any project work involving cybersecurity compliance.
• Strong proficiency in cybersecurity protocols and frameworks with the confidence and experience to implement new security projects.
• 4-6 years of relevant work experience in a cybersecurity role.
• Good communication skills and the ability to produce and present clear, concise presentations and documents for leadership.
• Ability to multitask and handle multiple projects with varying difficulties and priorities.
• Proven ability to interact and create a positive and collaborative working environment with corporate, business, vendor, and technical resources.
• Experience providing security and technical guidance and expert advice to peers and leadership.
• Ability to work independently, and with groups, with limited supervision.
• Required technical skills:
  • Strong understanding of how MFA relates to security authentication with applications (e.g., Office 365 and Federated Services).
  • Knowledge of network security and use of the Internet, including authentication, access control, firewall rules/configuration, disaster prevention, data recovery, intrusion detection and data encryption.
  • Knowledge of Cisco security devices such as firewalls, VPN, Duo and their security features and settings.
  • Ability to support and manage Active Directory Domains, Federated Services and Wireless Access Points from a security standpoint.
  • Knowledge of DNS and SSL certificates and how to apply them to servers and applications.
  • Experience working in virtualized environments (VMware) and understanding its security aspects.
  • Working knowledge of Incident Management, Change and Release Management and Problem Management procedures.
  • Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• A strong background in Network and Systems Administrator skills is a plus.