Cyber Security and Guard Support

Spektrum have a wide range of exciting opportunities in several global locations.

We are always looking to add great new talent to our team and look forward to hearing from you.

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU, and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting 

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and information technology (IT) services to NATO's member countries and its partners. The agency was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

The NCIA provides a wide range of services, including:

• Cyber Security: The NCIA provides advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATO's communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATO's military commanders to plan and execute operations.
• Satellite Communications: The NCIA provides satellite communications services to enable secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.
• Electronic Warfare: The NCIA provides electronic warfare services to support NATO's mission to detect, deny, and defeat threats to its communication networks.
• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATO's information technology infrastructure, including its databases, applications, and servers.

Overall, the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATO's communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATO’s principal C3 capability deliverer and CIS service provider. It provides, maintains and defends the NATO enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure to enable Allies to consult together under Article IV, and, when required, stand together in the face of attack under Article V.

To provide these critical services, in the modern evolving dynamic environment the NCI Agency needs to build and maintain high performance-engaged workforce. The NCI Agency workforce strategically consists of three major categorise's: NATO International Civilians (NIC)'s, Military (Mil), and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWC)'s. The IWCs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

Role Background

The NATO Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a team of over 200 members working to monitor and protect NATO networks. In the NCSC’s role to deliver robust security services to the NATO Enterprise and NATO Allied Operations and Missions (AOM), the centre executes a portfolio of programmes and projects around 219 MEUR euros per year, in order to uplift and enhance critical cyber security services.

In order to execute this work, the NCIA is seeking additional manpower through contracted resources to support the work undertaken by the NATO Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the area of Communications and Information System (CIS) security, cyber defence and cyberspace operations.

The Gateway Security Services (GSS) Section facilitates and accounts for all lifecycle aspects of Boundary Protection Components deployed within and on the edge of NATO networks in order to protect key NATO information while allowing NATO staff to work securely and process their information.

NCIA is looking for subject matter expertise for the delivery of this complex and critical cybersecurity capability. This contract is to provide consistent support on a deliverable based contract to NCSC based on the deliverables that are described in the scope of work below.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Central system administration of Guards and Data Diodes to ensure continuing functionality and availability.

• Hardware and software systems installation and configuration
• User and access management
• Back up and restore systems data
• Monitor system performance and availability
• Log forwarding towards archiving and/or forensic systems
• Analyze, troubleshoot and resolve application issues
• Development of automation scripts to meet day to day system administration tasks

Central configuration of Guards and Data Diodes

• Implementation and verification of guards and data diode configuration to meet customer cross-domain data exchange requirements
• Adaptation of release markings
• Adaptation of email attachment types
• configuration of additional cross-domain flows
• Back up and restore configuration data

Updating of Guard and Data Diode software/patches

• Monitor patch releases
• Test new software and patches
• Support A2SL process for approval of software updates
• installation and configuration of software and patch updates

Documentation of Guards and Data Diode systems

• Development of SOPs and other documentation for repetitive activities
• Produce and maintain comprehensive documentation for all implemented systems
• Review and update security documentation
• Education/training/familiarization of other teams

Support of Guards and Data Diodes

• Technical support in troubleshooting infrastructure and operational issues
• Collaborate with other teams for a successful resolution;
• Provide technical support and guidance by answering end-user requests to identify issues in secure cross-domain data exchange

Essential Skills and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in IT security, with a focus on Security Tools Management in large organisations.
• Strong understanding of security best practices
• Good engineering skills including programming
• Demonstrable experience of analysing and interpreting system, security and application logs in order to diagnose faults and spot abnormal behaviours.
• Experience with system instrumentation solutions such as below:
• Linux System Administration (preferred RedHat Enterprise Linux)
• Scripting/Automation (Bash, Python, Ansible)
• Other Boundaries Protections Devices such as firewalls
• System security, including hardening and SELinux
• System monitoring and troubleshooting
• Experience with network protocols and traffic analysis
• Ability to troubleshoot complex network security issues
• LAN/WAN networking including protocol network architecture
• TCP/IP protocols and services
• Excellent communication abilities, both written and verbal, with the ability to clearly and successfully articulate complex issues to a variety of audiences and teams
• Official Linux certification (such as RHCSA, GCUX,)
• Official Network Management certification (such as Network+)
• Official Service Management certification (such as ITIL Foundation )

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Understanding of Information Security Practices; relating to the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of information (CIA triad.)
• Possession of Industry leading certification in the area of Cybersecurity such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, GSNA, SANS GIAC
• Experience in working with NATO.
• Experience of working with NATO Communications and Information Agency.
• Experience of working with national Defence or Government entities.
• Strong stakeholder management skills – can demonstrate evidence of developing and maintaining strong and effective relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels in an organization.
• Flexible and adaptable; experience of working in ambiguous situations.
• Excellent mentoring skills.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field or equivalent experience

Working Location

• Mons, Belgium

Working Policy

• On-Site

Travel

• Some travel to other NATO sites may be required

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance

We never know what new opportunities might be just over the horizon. If this opportunity isn't for you please feel free to send us your resume anyway and be the first to know if something suitable for your skills and experience comes up.