Government and Public Sector - Cybersecurity - Defense Responder Senior Consultant

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we’re counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.   The exceptional EY experience. It's yours to build.   EY focuses on high-ethical standards and integrity among its employees and expects all candidates to demonstrate these qualities.  

From strategy to execution, the Government & Public Sector practice (“GPS”) of Ernst & Young LLP provides a full range of consulting and audit services to help our Federal, State, Local and Education clients implement new ideas to help achieve their mission outcomes. We deliver real change and measurable results through our diverse, high-performing teams, quality work at the highest professional standards, operational know-how from across our global organization, and creative and bold ideas that drive innovation. We enable our government clients to achieve their mission of protecting the nation and serving the people; increasing public safety; improving healthcare for our military, veterans and citizens; delivering essential public services; and helping those in need. EY is ready to help our government shape the future with confidence.

 

The opportunity  

 

Our cybersecurity professionals possess diverse industry knowledge, along with unique technical expertise and specialized skills. The team works together in planning, pursuing, delivering and managing engagements to assess, improve, build, and in some cases operate integrated security operations for our clients. 

 

We will support you with career-long training and coaching to develop your skills. As EY is a global leading service provider in this space, you will be working with the best of the best in a collaborative environment. So, whenever you join, however long you stay, the exceptional EY experience lasts a lifetime. 

 

 Your key responsibilities 

 

Our security professionals possess diverse industry knowledge, unique technical expertise, and specialized skills. The team stays highly relevant by researching and discovering the newest security vulnerabilities, attending and speaking at top security conferences, and sharing knowledge with key industry groups. The team frequently provides thought leadership and information exchanges through traditional and less conventional communication channels, including conference presentations, white papers, and blogs.

 

As part of our Blue Team, you will focus on proactive cyber defense, threat detection, security monitoring, and intelligence-driven defense to protect enterprise environments. Your work will include real-time security event analysis, security automation, incident response support, forensic investigations, and adversary simulation collaboration with Red and Purple Teams. You will also leverage cyber threat intelligence (CTI) to improve detection engineering, threat hunting methodologies, and defense strategies.

 

Our professionals work together in planning, executing, and managing engagements to assess, improve, build, and, in some cases, operate integrated security operations for our clients.

 

Skills and attributes for success  

• Conduct real-time security monitoring, log analysis, and threat detection using SIEM tools such as Splunk, Elastic, Microsoft Sentinel, CrowdStrike NG-SIEM, and Palo Alto Cortex.
• Perform threat hunting and anomaly detection by analyzing security event data and network traffic for malicious activity.
• Integrate cyber threat intelligence (CTI) into detection methodologies, correlating indicators of compromise (IOCs) and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to strengthen defenses.
• Respond to cybersecurity incidents, conduct forensic investigations, and provide mitigation recommendations.
• Develop and fine-tune detection rules, alerts, and use cases for monitoring tools to improve incident detection and response.
• Conduct malware analysis, reverse engineering, and threat intelligence correlation to improve defensive strategies.
• Work closely with Red and Purple Teams to simulate adversary tactics, improve detection efficacy, and test security defenses in adversary emulation exercises.
• Provide guidance on security best practices, hardening techniques, and zero-trust architectures.
• Automate security operations and develop playbooks using SOAR platforms to improve response efficiency.
• Conduct security assessments and assist with compliance efforts for industry standards such as MITRE ATT&CK, NIST 800-53, ISO 27001, and CIS Benchmarks.

 

To qualify for the role you must have

  

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a related field, and a minimum of 5 years of related work experience; or a Master’s degree and 4 years of related work experience in security operations, threat detection, or incident response.
• Any one or more of the following certifications:
  • CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
  • CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
  • CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
  • OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
  • SANS GIAC certifications, such as:
    • GSE (GIAC Security Expert)
    • GCFA (Forensic Analyst)
    • GNFA (Network Forensic Analyst)
    • GDAT (Defending Advanced Threats)
    • GMON (Continuous Monitoring and Security Operations)
    • GCIH (Incident Handler)
    • GREM (Reverse Engineering Malware)
    • GSOC (Security Operations Center)
    • GCIA (Intrusion Analyst)
    • GCED (Enterprise Defender)
• Hands-on experience with SIEM, SOAR, EDR, NDR, email security and security monitoring platforms.
• Strong understanding of network security, cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP), and endpoint protection strategies.
• Experience with log analysis, network traffic analysis, and behavioral analytics for identifying suspicious activity.
• Strong scripting and automation skills in Python, PowerShell, or Bash to streamline security operations.
• Experience with MITRE ATT&CK framework, adversary emulation, and threat intelligence integration.
• Must have an active TS/SCI clearance with eligibility for a polygraph and be able to maintain it.
• Must be willing to work on-site as needed by the client in the greater Washington, DC area

 

Due to the nature of our work in the Government and Public Sector, work may be required to be completed at client, EY and/or contractor sites. Our goal is to assign professionals to projects within a commutable distance of their work location office.  In certain circumstances, travel may be required beyond your work location based on client and project needs. Candidates should be willing to travel 20 – 30% or more.

 

Ideally, you'll also have  

 

 Prior consulting experience.

• Experience developing custom threat detection analytics and behavioral anomaly detection rules.
• Familiarity with cloud-native security monitoring tools (AWS GuardDuty, Azure Security Center, Google Chronicle).
• Experience with deception technologies, honeypots, and adversary engagement techniques.
• Deep understanding of Active Directory security, Kerberos attacks, and lateral movement techniques.
• Experience working in Cloud/Container environments.
• Penetration Testing experience.
• Application Security experience.
• Attack Surface Management experience.

 

What we look for 

 

We’re interested in intellectually curious people with a genuine passion for cybersecurity. With your expertise, we’ll turn to you to speak up with innovative ideas that could make a lasting difference not only to us – but also to the industry. If you have the confidence in both your presentation and technical abilities to grow into a leading expert here, this is the role for you.

 

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you. And we’re counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

 

What we offer

 

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options. Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.

  What we offer   We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $103,800 to $190,300. The salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State and California (excluding Sacramento) is $124,600 to $216,300. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options. Join us in our team-led and leader-enabled hybrid model. Our expectation is for most people in external, client serving roles to work together in person 40-60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project or year. Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.  

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

  EY accepts applications for this position on an on-going basis. If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.   EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.   Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.   Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.   For those living in California, please click here for additional information.   EY is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.   EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process, please call 1-800-EY-HELP3, select Option 2 for candidate related inquiries, then select Option 1 for candidate queries and finally select Option 2 for candidates with an inquiry which will route you to EY’s Talent Shared Services Team (TSS) or email the TSS at ssc.customersupport@ey.com