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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Network Security Specialist - **Company:** Data Systems Analysts, Inc. - **Location:** Charlottesville, VA, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $120,000.0 - $160,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Access Control List, Catalyst (Software), Cisco PIX, Cisco Routers, Cyber Security, System Configuration, Data Systems, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, Network Address Translation, Domain Name System (DNS), Network Topologies, Networking Hardware, Internet Protocol Security (IP SEC), IP Routing, Subnetting, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Information Systems Security Architecture Professional, Python (Programming Language), Network Security, NetFlow, Network Architecture, Network Diagrams, Network Monitoring, Routing, Network Segmentation, Network Administration, Cisco Nexus Switches, Windows PowerShell, Comptia Pentest+ CE, Ansible, Zero Trust Network Access, Security Content Automation Protocol, Data Streaming, Syslog, Wireshark, Virtual Local Area Networks, Software Vulnerability Management, Data Logging, Scripting, Computer Networking Systems, Integrated Service Routers, Identity Services Engine, Microsoft Power Automate, Firewalls (Computer Science), Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Information Technology, SolarWinds (Software), Cybercrime, Tenable Nessus, CIS Benchmarks, Firepower, Firewall Services Module, Terraform, Open Network Automation Platform, Splunk, Cisco Switches, Cisco, Elk Stack - **Published:** August 7, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9080111/network-security-specialist ## About the Role All hired employees are expected to have experience with Microsoft Copilot and / or an approved equivalent AI solution., * BS degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field + Experience may be substituted for degree. * TS/SCI Clearance * DoD 8140 (8570) IAT Level II Certification * CCNA certification, * Minimum 4 years of experience supporting network security engineering, secure network operations, boundary defense, or hands-on network administration. * Working knowledge of Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, Cisco ASA, Cisco Firepower, Cisco Secure Firewall, Cisco ISE, Catalyst, Nexus, ISR, or ASR platforms. * Working knowledge of routing, switching, VLANs, ACLs, firewall policies, ports, protocols, VPNs, IPsec, NAT, DNS, DHCP, subnetting, logging, and boundary protection. * Ability to design and review network diagrams, firewall rule sets, data flows, ports and protocols, and system interconnections for security vulnerabilities. * Demonstrated understanding of network hardening practices, secure protocols, network security architecture, and boundary defense concepts. * Experience coordinating with network engineers, systems administrators, security analysts, and mission partners to resolve technical security findings. * Hands on experience with ACAS, Tenable Nessus, STIG Viewer, SCAP, and network vulnerability remediation processes. * Experience applying, validating, or remediating vulnerability findings and DISA STIGs for network devices. * Experience developing or maintaining technical configuration standards, ports and protocols lists, network topology diagrams, and device configuration baselines. * Familiarity with applying and verifying security controls on network hardware to support technical authorization maintenance. * Experience supporting network security activities within the DoD, Intelligence Community, or other secure enterprise environment. * Knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 security controls (specifically Network/Access Control families), DISA Network Infrastructure STIGs, and secure network design practices. * Strong technical documentation, communication, analytical, and troubleshooting skills. Preferred Experience/Qualifications * Experience securing, assessing, and engineering Cisco ASA, Cisco Firepower, Cisco Secure Firewall, Cisco ISE, Catalyst, Nexus, ISR, or ASR platforms in a production environment. * Experience writing and auditing firewall rules, access control policies, route tables, network diagrams, ports and protocols, and VPN configurations. * Experience with Splunk, Elastic, ELK Stack, OpenSearch, SolarWinds, Wireshark, NetFlow, syslog, firewall logs, or other tools used to support monitoring and packet-level analysis. * Familiarity with network automation or scripting tools such as Ansible, Python, PowerShell, Terraform, or Cisco Catalyst Center to automate security baselines. * Familiarity with Zero Trust principles, micro-segmentation, identity-based access control, and modern DoD cybersecurity architecture. * CCNP, CCNP Security, Cisco CyberOps, or equivalent network security certification. * CISSP, CEH, PenTest+, CySA+, CASP+, SecurityX, or equivalent cybersecurity certification. * Knowledge of continuous monitoring, active threat hunting, and automated configuration compliance. ## Description Data Systems Analysts, Inc. (DSA) is seeking a TS/SCI cleared Network Security Specialist to secure, engineer, and defend enterprise network systems in a secure DoD environment. The Network Security Specialist will perform hands-on security configuration, boundary defense engineering, vulnerability remediation, and device hardening for Cisco based network infrastructure. The Network Security Specialist will work closely with network engineers, cybersecurity staff, security administrators, and mission partners to ensure network systems remain secure, hardened, resilient, and operationally effective. This role is suited for a highly technical security professional with hands-on experience in Cisco network infrastructure, firewall management, ports and protocols, packet-level analysis, and active network defense., * Configure and review firewall rules, access control lists, ports, protocols, services, VPN connections, network flows, and boundary protection controls. * Configure, validate, and audit security configurations for Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and related network infrastructure. * Support active network security operations, boundary defense engineering, and continuous hardening for enterprise network systems. * Support incident response activities by performing technical analysis of network related alerts, logs, firewall events, syslog data, and authentication events. * Support change control reviews by assessing proposed network changes for cybersecurity impacts, configuration vulnerabilities, and security architecture alignment. * Monitor network security posture through syslog alerts, configuration management tools, and packet-level analysis. * Conduct, analyze, and remediate vulnerability scans using ACAS, Tenable Nessus, STIG Viewer, and other approved DoD tools. * Analyze vulnerability findings, identify false positives, engineer technical workarounds, and execute remediation actions across network devices. * Implement and validate DISA STIG compliance, SCAP benchmarks, security baselines, and device hardening requirements. * Develop and maintain technical network security documentation including device hardening procedures, network diagrams, and Ports, Protocols, and Services (PPS) listings. * Support technical engineering assessments and security reviews to maintain authorization sustainment activities. * Prepare technical security status updates, vulnerability remediation roadmaps, and network security risk briefings for engineering teams and stakeholders. ## Related Videos - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [Better Together: Leveraging Your Observability Tools as a SIEM](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2118-better-together-leveraging-your-observability-tools-as-a-siem) - [Our journey with Spring Boot in a microservice architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/511-our-journey-with-spring-boot-in-a-microservice-architecture) - [Cyber Sleuth: Finding Hidden Connections in Cyber Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/893-cyber-sleuth-finding-hidden-connections-in-cyber-data) - [Your Infrastructure Is Not a Playground: AI Agents for Infra Done Right](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2084-your-infrastructure-is-not-a-playground-ai-agents-for-infra-done-right) - [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers) ## Related Articles - [9 Ways to Make Money Hacking](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/333-9-ways-to-make-money-hacking) - [Events like RSAC Get You CISOs. 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