Principal Cloud Security Researcher (Cortex)

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few!

Job Description

Your Career

Are you passionate about innovation in cloud security and want to redefine how Security Operations Centers (SOCs) leverage both agent and agentless technologies for detection and response? Join our cutting-edge Security Research team and lead the development of next-generation cloud detection and response solutions. In this role, you will define detection use cases, analyze threat data, and create advanced security content to protect against evolving threats in cloud environments. Be part of an exceptional team of researchers and engineers dedicated to safeguarding our customers. This is your opportunity to dive into pioneering technologies that integrate cloud security with innovative detection methodologies in a world-leading cybersecurity company.

Your Impact

• Conduct ongoing research to identify and develop new detection techniques for both agent-based and agentless cloud technologies
• Stay ahead of Advanced Threats, attacker methodologies, and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) to ensure our solutions remain proactive and effective against emerging threats
• Simulate real-world attack scenarios in lab settings, performing in-depth analysis of adversarial behaviors and their implications for cloud security
• Foster a collaborative atmosphere within an experienced, diverse, and supportive research team, driving forward new and innovative ideas in cloud detection and response

Qualifications

Your Experience 

• 3+ years of experience in leading security research teams or projects, with a proven track record in managing complex security research initiatives, particularly in cloud environments
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity research, with extensive knowledge of cloud security principles, attack vectors, and defense strategies
• Strong proficiency in programming (e.g., Python) and experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) to develop detection and analysis tools
• Data Analysis - Proficient in SQL or similar query languages for analyzing large datasets and identifying attack patterns specific to cloud services
• Communication - Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex research findings, processes, and concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• A demonstrated history of developing novel security solutions or contributing innovative ideas to the cybersecurity community, especially in the realm of cloud detection and response
• Bonus Points
  • Experience with both agent-based and agentless security technologies, including EDR, XDR, or similar tools for cloud environments
  • Prior work in threat intelligence, APT research, or incident response focused on cloud services

Additional Information

The Team

Our engineering team is at the core of our products and connected directly to the mission of preventing cyberattacks. We are constantly innovating challenging the way we, and the industry, think about cybersecurity. Our engineers don't shy away from building products to solve problems no one has pursued before.

We define the industry instead of waiting for directions. We need individuals who feel comfortable in ambiguity, excited by the prospect of a challenge, and empowered by the unknown risks facing our everyday lives that are only enabled by a secure digital environment.

#LI-ER1

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and 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 other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.