Network Security Analyst 2

Microsoft security certifications are strongly preferred, such as Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate, Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert, Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate, or Microsoft 365 Defender-related certifications. Additional preferred certifications include CompTIA Security+, CySA+, GIAC security certifications, CISSP, CISM, CISA, Splunk Core Certified Power User, Splunk Enterprise Security Certified Admin, or SentinelOne product certifications.

Position is ONSITE in Austin, TX (NO REMOTE WORK).
Program will only accept LOCAL ONLY candidates for this position.

I. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
The Agency requires the services of 1 Network Security Analyst 2, hereafter referred to as Candidate(s), who meets the general qualifications of Network Security Analyst 2, Security and the specifications outlined below for the Agency.

• 4-7 years of experience in the field or in a related area.
• Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field.
• Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure systems by preventing unauthorized access and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations related to national security and foreign ownership restrictions.
• A network security analyst ensures that information systems and computer networks are secure.
• This includes protecting the company against hackers and cyber-attacks, as well as monitoring network traffic and server logs for activity that seems unusual.
• Additionally, these analysts are responsible for finding vulnerabilities in the computer networks and creating recommendations for how to minimize these vulnerabilities.
• The network security analyst investigates security breaches, develops strategies for any security issues that arise, and utilizes the help of firewalls and antivirus software to maintain security.
• DISCLAIMER: Candidates for this position will be subject to a pre-employment security review to determine employment eligibility.
• The position is expected to work onsite at the Agency in Austin, TX full-time, Monday - Friday during agency business hours.

Job Summary
The Network Security Analyst II performs advanced cybersecurity and network security analysis work in support of the Agency's enterprise security operations.

• This role is responsible for monitoring, detecting, investigating, and responding to security events across on-premises, cloud, and endpoint environments.
• The ideal candidate is a hands-on security operations professional with strong experience across SIEM, SOAR, EDR, network detection, and incident response platforms.
• This role requires sound judgment, technical depth, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to protecting Agency systems, data, and services that support the health and well-being of Texans.

Essential Job Functions

• Monitor security alerts, logs, network events, endpoint telemetry, and threat intelligence feeds.
• Analyze suspicious activity, anomalous network behavior, malware indicators, endpoint detections, and SIEM correlation events to determine scope, impact, and required response actions.
• Perform incident triage, investigation, escalation, containment coordination, and documentation in alignment with Agency security operations procedures.
• Develop, tune, and maintain detection rules, dashboards, alerts, playbooks, and queries to improve visibility across network, endpoint, identity, and cloud environments.
• Support threat hunting activities using KQL, SPL, packet/session analysis, endpoint telemetry, and other investigative techniques.
• Assist with vulnerability, risk, and control assessments for network security infrastructure and enterprise information systems.
• Document findings, prepare incident reports, track corrective actions, and communicate technical information to security leadership and business stakeholders.
• Collaborate with network, infrastructure, cloud, endpoint, and application teams to validate security events and implement risk mitigation measures.
• Maintain awareness of emerging cyber threats, attack techniques, indicators of compromise, and security best practices relevant to healthcare and public-sector environments.
• Support compliance, audit, and reporting activities by providing evidence, metrics, and security operations documentation as requested.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in cybersecurity, network security, security operations, incident response, or a closely related information security role.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Sentinel, including incident management, analytics rules, workbooks, automation, data connectors, and Kusto Query Language.
• Experience using SIEM for log analysis, alert investigation, dashboarding, correlation searches, and security monitoring.
• Experience with NDR for network traffic analysis, packet/session investigation, threat detection, and incident support.
• Experience with EDR tools, including endpoint alert triage, device investigation, advanced hunting, and response actions.
• Working knowledge of network security concepts, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, proxy logs, DNS, VPN, TCP/IP, segmentation, and secure network architecture.
• Ability to analyze complex security events, correlate data across multiple sources, and produce clear written documentation and recommendations.
• Knowledge of security frameworks, standards, and regulatory considerations such as NIST, CIS Controls, HIPAA, and state information security requirements.
• Strong communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

Preferred Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, information systems, information technology, or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in place of education where applicable.
• Microsoft security certifications are strongly preferred, such as Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate, Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert, Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate, or Microsoft 365 Defender-related certifications.
• Additional preferred certifications include CompTIA Security+, CySA+, GIAC security certifications, CISSP, CISM, CISA, Splunk Core Certified Power User, Splunk Enterprise Security Certified Admin, or SentinelOne product certifications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of SIEM, SOAR, EDR, XDR, network detection and response, log management, and threat intelligence concepts.
• Skill in writing and interpreting KQL, SPL, and security queries to support investigations and reporting.
• Skill in identifying indicators of compromise, attacker tactics, suspicious network patterns, and endpoint-based threats.
• Ability to prioritize alerts, document investigative steps, and escalate incidents based on severity and business impact.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a security operations environment with shifting priorities and time-sensitive incidents.
• Ability to communicate cybersecurity risks, findings, and recommended actions to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Work Expectations

• Participate in incident response, escalation, and after-action review activities as needed.
• Support enterprise security monitoring for systems that process, store, or transmit sensitive information.
• Follow HHSC policies, procedures, standards, and applicable state and federal security requirements.
• Maintain accurate operational documentation, investigation notes, metrics, and leadership-ready summaries.
• May be required to provide support outside normal business hours during high-priority security incidents or planned maintenance activities.

II. CANDIDATE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Years Required Experience

• 7 Required Knowledge of SIEM, SOAR, EDR, XDR, NDR
• 7 Required Experience with security log collection and management
• 7 Required Experience with threat intelligence concepts
• 7 Required Skill in writing and interpreting KQL, SPL, and security queries to support investigations and reporting
• 7 Required Experience in SIEM platform/architecture support
• 7 Required Experience in detection engineering methodology and implementation

Years Preferred Experience

• 10 Preferred Knowledge of SIEM, SOAR, EDR, XDR, NDR
• 10 Preferred Experience with security log collection and management
• 10 Preferred Experience with threat intelligence concepts
• 10 Preferred Skill in writing and interpreting KQL, SPL, and security queries to support investigations and reporting
• 10 Preferred Experience in SIEM platform/architecture support
• 10 Preferred Experience in detection engineering methodology and implementation