Threat Context Analyst

 The Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) is looking for a digital threat context lead analyst able to manage the creation, editing and publication cycle of threat intelligence reports for senior leaders in the public and private sectors. The lead analyst must have proficiency in analyzing cyber-enabled influence operations and an ability to effectively communicate insights in both written reports and oral presentations. The analyst will leverage their language skills and geopolitical knowledge to develop assessments about how cyber and influence operations factor into national security and information security. They will contribute to MTAC’s mission to detect, assess, and disrupt digital threats to Microsoft, its customers, and democracies worldwide. MTAC is part of the Customer Security & Trust (CST) organization within Microsoft’s Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) group. 

In this role, the Threat Context Analyst will leverage regional, cultural, and geopolitical knowledge and empower a team to develop publicly available reports on malicious nation state cyber and influence operations targeting democracies, citizens and Microsoft. The Threat Context Analyst will be able to quickly compose, edit and fact-check written assessments attributing nation state influence and cyber operations around the world. The position will require written composition ability, professional oral briefing skills and rigorous attention to detail. The analyst will work collaboratively with MTAC’s cyber security and data analytics teams to analyze threats. The Threat Context Analyst will collaborate closely with Microsoft’s Customer Security and Trust (CST) and Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) teams. The Threat Context Analyst will also manage the MTAC team’s process for assessing malicious generative artificial intelligence (AI) by nation state actors. They will serve as the central point for coordinating, producing and distributing MTAC reporting both inside and outside Microsoft. 

Responsibilities

• Write daily intelligence reports with a high level of clarity and precision under tight deadlines.   

• Manage the editing, fact checking, formatting and final production of intelligence reports. 

• Research and assess cyber and malign influence threats at strategic levels by drawing on information from social media accounts and websites, foreign policy priorities and perspectives from open-source reporting. 

• Write threat intelligence reports for senior leaders in the public and private sector.   

• Lead analysis on malicious nation state use of generative AI-driven influence operations.    

• Respond to rapid queries for threat intelligence insights from Microsoft’s senior leadership.  

• Present MTAC analysis to national and international audiences with precision.   

• Manage and lead a small team in the day-to-day operations of MTAC to ensure high quality performance from all MTAC teams.  

• Coordinate MTAC actions across all Microsoft teams involved cyber security, artificial intelligence, corporate and legal affairs and tech for human rights.   

• Develop engaging presentations and brief various stakeholders under tight deadlines.  

• Manage MTAC’s engagement with media based on release of public reporting. 

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Analytics, Engineering, Computer Science, Marketing, Business, Economics or related field AND 4+ years experience managing and conducting fact checking and editing processes and experience working on cyber and influence threats arising from Russia, Iran, China and North Korea.
  • OR Master's Degree in Mathematics, Analytics, Engineering, Computer Science, Marketing, Business, Economics or related field AND 2+ years experience managing and conducting fact checking and editing processes and experience working on cyber and influence threats arising from Russia, Iran, China and North Korea.
    • OR equivalent experience.
• Writing skills with a professional track record of publication for general audiences.   
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.  

Other Requirements

• Customer Contract:
  This position requires verification of citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local  government agency customers and is subject to certain citizenship-based restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate’s citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. 

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to quickly and efficiently sift through data to identify trends or key issues to incorporate into analysis for senior customers or decision makers.  
  presentation skills and the ability to effectively convey complex information under strict time constraints.  
• An ability to work within a fast-paced operational setting to  coordinate analysis, report production and distribution globally. 
• Experience in journalism and/or academic research.
• Previous professional experience with a daily cadence of presentation. 
• Proficiency in languages other than English. Business fluency in one or more additional languages is a plus.
• Experience tracking cyber and/or influence actors, infrastructure, and operational techniques 
• Experaince producing actionable threat intelligence or strategic analysis through written reports and products.
• Quantitative analytic experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of generative AI platforms and applications. 
• Cross-group collaboration with experience building relationships.
• Experience collaborating with other analysts, technical collectors, and threat intelligence partners in government and industry is a plus. 

Business Analytics M4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $103,800 - $200,300 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $133,700 - $219,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay   

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until November 10, 2024

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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