Opportunity sourced from the Official SkillBridge website. Not endorsed by the Department of Defense.
The Junior Cyber Defense Analyst role at IBSS is a 12-week immersive apprenticeship designed specifically to transition service members into civilian security careers to prepare them for advanced roles in vulnerability assessment and network security. Under the guidance of our expert Cybersecurity Coaches, you will master a comprehensive technical stack—including networking, cloud virtualization, advanced cryptography and multi-week penetration testing—while developing the soft skills required for roles in federal and commercial sectors.
● Analyze how to implement fundamental networking architectures, including the OSI and TCP/IP models, IP addressing schemes (IPv4/IPv6), and hardware cabling solutions to support enterprise connectivity.● Develop comprehensive network diagrams and technical documentation while managing WAN technologies and patching cycles to ensure maximum operational resiliency.● Learn how to configure physical security devices and implement robust authentication methods to harden network infrastructure against common wireless attack vectors.● Learn how to utilize structured troubleshooting methodologies and advanced diagnostic tools to resolve complex connectivity issues across wired, wireless, and service-level subnetting environments.● Learn how to categorize social engineering techniques, malware types, and application-layer attacks to accurately identify and mitigate threat actor methodologies. ● Learn how to implement symmetric/asymmetric encryption, hashing, and PKI concepts to manage secure authentication protocols and enterprise identity and account management.● Learn how to deploy and manage security controls across specialized systems, mobile devices, and various cloud service models to ensure data integrity. ● Learn how to design hardware and site redundancy plans while executing incident response protocols using attack frameworks and digital forensic data sources for rapid recovery.● Learn how to conduct the legal and compliance-based scoping of a penetration test and utilize reconnaissance tools like Nmap.● Learn how to analyze scripts and perform comprehensive vulnerability scans to identify weaknesses in specialized systems and prepare targeted exploitation strategies.● Learn about targeted exploits against network and application-layer vulnerabilities and how to assess social engineering entry points to determine risk impact. ● Learn how to execute post-exploitation tasks and evaluate host-based and site security.● Adopt actionable strategies to shift task perspectives, eliminate low-value activities, and optimize schedule flexibility to sustain high levels of professional productivity.● Produce clear, concise, and error-free professional communications—including emails, technical reports, and memos—that maintain organizational credibility.● Identify and replace negative workplace microaggressions with positive, inclusive language to foster a respectful and collaborative professional environment.● Leverage nonverbal and emotional intelligence skills to establish immediate credibility with stakeholders during technical briefings and presentations.● Apply physiological and cognitive techniques to manage the symptoms of public speaking anxiety, ensuring a confident and composed presence under pressure.● Utilize mindfulness techniques to mitigate the physical and mental effects of high-pressure work environments to reduce stressors and their impact on the body.● Leverage the Eisenhower Matrix and Pareto Principle to set meaningful goals and maintain project momentum when navigating multiple tasks.● Apply a self-discovery framework to pinpoint natural professional gifts and align individual strengths with organizational roles to maximize career value.● Transition from reactive tasks to proactive strategic thinking by carving out dedicated time for root-cause analysis.● Implement practical techniques to alleviate professional burnout and increase workplace satisfaction through gratitude and effective anxiety reduction.● Reframe stress as a positive fuel for growth and learn how to connect individual stress management to the broader organizational mission.● Develop mental agility to examine information objectively, avoid overthinking, and balance rational, strategic, and emotional data in decision-making.● Deliver weekly technical presentations to the Cybersecurity Coach and peers to demonstrate mastery of weekly learning objectives.● Master content and demonstrate mastery via interim assessments.● Study and synthesize the hands-on technical labs and theoretical modules to meet the exam objectives for industry-standard certifications (e.g., CompTIA Network+, Security+, or Pentest+), demonstrating readiness for the civilian cybersecurity workforce. (Please note that certifications are subject to change, potentially based on each apprentice’s individual cybersecurity career track.)Performance Evaluation (Grading Rubric):● Master content and demonstrate mastery via interim assessments. - 40%● Provide weekly presentations on what was learned for the week. - 20%● Complete professional certifications. - 40%To apply, please follow these steps:● Inform your chain of command● Get approval from the Commander and the education/transition office● Email careers@ibsscorp.com the position you are interested in and provide a copy of your resume. Please make sure to include “Skillbridge” in the subject line of your email.
● Be active-duty military● Have command approval● Be able to participate full-time during duty hours● Seeking candidates local to the Washington, DC metropolitan area to report to the IBSS Headquarters Office in Silver Spring, MD. (If remote candidates possess exceptional qualifications/profiles, we are open to considering them. But, Washington, DC metropolitan area residents are highly preferred.)● Network+ and/or Security+ certifications preferred.● Seeking candidates who are top performing, highly energized about a cyber career, driven/ambitious, and willing to put in the work it takes for a rigorous cyber development program.● Expressed interest in performing assessor, ISSO, and/or SOC tasks.● Be able to obtain a security clearance from the United States federal government. Refer to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency website for more details about the clearance process.● Willingness to relocate for a permanent job assignment in the continental United States, if offered.● Reliable internet
US Air Force, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Space Force
About IBSS Corp.Since 1992, IBSS, a woman-owned small business, has provided transformational consulting services to the Federal defense, civilian, and commercial sectors. Our services include cybersecurity and enterprise information technology, environmental science, and engineering (including oceans, coasts, climate, and weather), and professional management services.Our approach is to serve our employees by investing in their growth and development. As a result, our employees bring greater capabilities and provide exceptional service to our clients. In addition to creating career development opportunities for our employees, IBSS is passionate about giving back to the community and serving the environment. We strive to leave something better behind for the next generation.We measure our success by the positive impact we have on our employees, clients, partners, and the communities we serve. Our tagline, Powered by Excellence, is a recognition of the employees that make up IBSS and ensures we deliver results with quality, applying industry best practices and certifications.All qualified applicants will be considered for employment based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. If you have any questions, please contact the HR department at HR@ibsscorp.comIf you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Talent Acquisition Department at Recruiting@ibsscorp.com.
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