Sr Security Researcher

SUMMARY  

The Sr. Security Researcher is a self-starting and motivated analyst on Arete’s Cyber Threat Intelligence team. This position is primarily focused on performing countermeasure development, threat hunting and profiling, malware analysis, analyzing threats, and tracking known adversaries and emerging threats. The role will contribute to the research and publication of threat insights, internal work products, as well as intelligence products to be used by Arete’s customers and stakeholders. A successful analyst has an advanced technical skill set and thrives on learning the technical aspects of the tactics, techniques, and procedures leveraged by threat actors, developing solutions to challenging problems. Work may occasionally include afterhours intelligence support during major engagements.
 

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Develop countermeasures, tools, and methods of detection to be used for threat hunting and incident response activities.

• Threat hunting in Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) telemetry data.

• Perform malware analysis.

• Identify cyber threats, trends, and new malware families and threat actor groups by analyzing Arete’s case reports, MDR & SOC escalations, sandbox submissions, raw and open-source intelligence.

• Identify and report on the current and changing Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) used by cyber threat actors.

• Create finished intelligence analysis for internal and external customers through written reporting, blogs, and industry insights to help reinforce Arete as a thought leader in cyber threat intelligence.

• Inform various business units within Arete about new threat actor TTPs.

• Create compelling internal reports and presentations from analysis results.

• Uncover adversary activity not detected by current detection mechanisms.

• Identify intelligence and technology gaps.

• Contributes to the development and enhancement of threat intelligence tools, technologies, and processes to improve automation, data analysis, intelligence sharing, and service offerings.

• Provide tactical intel and analysis support for MDR, DFIR, and SOC business units.

• Create detailed process documentation of analysis workflows to help maintain and update our Standard Operating Procedures for continuous process improvement.

• Coach and mentor junior analysts and interns.

• May perform other duties as assigned by management.

DISCLAIMER 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required personnel so classified.   

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Motivated and self-starter with a passion for countermeasure development, malware analysis and cyber threat intelligence.

• Ability to produce high-quality finished work products within short deadlines.

• Knowledge of how malware is developed, functions, and is employed by cybercrime threat actors.

• Ability to work remotely under a minimal supervision environment maintaining high quality analytical production and excellent relationship with stakeholders.

• Desire to extend knowledge of threat actor TTPs.

• Understanding of the tools and techniques used by cybercrime threat actors.

• Ability to analyze various file types such as: C/C++, .NET, Visual Basic scripts, Java scripts, Powershell scripts, Malicious documents, Webshells, Shellcode, packed and obfuscated code.

• Knowledge of:

  • Different Crimeware, Ransomware, Bots, Commodity, and Nation-State malware families.

  • Vulnerability exploitation and detection.

  • Various open-source and commercial malware analysis tools and Sandbox systems.

  • Network traffic analysis, Memory analysis and Log analysis.

  • Encoding and encryption algorithms.

  • Anti-analysis techniques and patching code to bypass checks.

  • Disassemblers and debuggers.

  • Working in a fast-paced environment with Digital Forensics and Incident Responders.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Assurance, or related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience related to the job role. Or, Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience related to the job role.

• Experience writing Yara rules and regular expressions.

• Working with ransomware and ransomware precursors, and identifying key indicators of compromise.

• Experience profiling threats, preferably cybercrime threats like ransomware and ransomware precursors.

• Experience with EDR technology, threat hunting, automated malware analysis sandbox systems, and countermeasure development (e.g., SentinelOne).

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the work environment characteristics listed below are representative of the environment the employee will encounter: Usual office working conditions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

• No physical exertion required.  

• Travel within or outside of the state. 

• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects.  

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT 

Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with Arete salary and benefit policy.  

FLSA OVERTIME CATEGORY 

Job is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

Arete Incident Response is an outstanding (and growing) company with a very dedicated, fun team. We offer competitive salaries, fully paid benefits including Medical/Dental, Life/Disability Insurance, 401(k) and the opportunity to work with some of the latest and greatest in the fast-growing cyber security industry.

 

 

When you join Arete…

You’ll be doing work that matters alongside other talented people, transforming the way people, businesses, and things connect with each other. Of course, we will offer you great pay and benefits, but we’re about more than that. Arete is a place where you can craft your own path to greatness. Whether you think in code, words, pictures or numbers, find your future at Arete, where experience matters.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer- and celebrate our employees’ differences, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or Veteran status. Different makes us better.