Cybersecurity Engineer – Security Specialty OT (Level 6)

IT New York, NY


Description

Position at MTA Headquarters

JOB TITLE:                              Cybersecurity Engineer – Security Specialty OT (Level 6)
SALARY RANGE:                   $124,311 - $169,104 
HAY POINTS:                          634
DEPT/DIV:                                Information Technology / Cybersecurity
SUPERVISOR:                         Cybersecurity Manager, IT Cyber Security
LOCATION:                             Various/ 2 Broadway New York, NY 10004
HOURS OF WORK:                9:00 am - 5:30 pm (7.5 hours or as required)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 29, 2024
This position is eligible for telework which is currently two day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.            
About us:         
The MTA transportation network has very large systems and infrastructure for financial, business, automated train, transportation, power, and physical security.  The MTA IT Department, is centrally responsible for providing a full range of Information and Operational Technology services to the MTA agencies and administrative units through its operating and support units.
The MTA IT Cybersecurity organization, is responsible for identifying, developing, implementing, and integrating cybersecurity-related processes internal and third-party supplier organizations to reduce the operational risks, reputational risks and financial risks. The organization also has robust cybersecurity operations functions designed to protect the MTA in real-time on a 7/24/365 basis.
Summary of Job 
The purpose of this position is to provide technical expertise in managing and analyzing cybersecurity risks. Cybersecurity Engineer will be responsible for design, building and maintaining infrastructure, applications technology to support a secure cybersecurity posture.  These include systems that support cybersecurity directly and/or the business operations for Information and Operational Technology disciplines. Secure building and configuration of systems (applications, infrastructure, wireless, carrier systems, cloud, operational technology, IOT, etc.) from the outset reduces risk to MTA.  Specialized and focused skillets in various technology domains assist with the overall risk reduction for the MTA.  The configuration, hardening, guidance, response, and analysis of these systems aide in reduction and containment of Cyber Security risk.  Risk assessments, data analytics tools, operational process reviews, and collaboration with security engineers, architects, developers, vendors, business units to constantly improve the overall security of the MTA
 
Responsibilities 
  • Researching emerging threats and vulnerabilities to aid in the identification of network incidents, and supports the creation of new architecture, policies, standards, and guidance to address them
  • Knowledge and practical implementation of secure system configuration and hardening standards
  • Design, configure and integrated secure solutions in the technology domains assigned
  • Provide incident response support, including mitigating actions to contain activity and facilitating forensics analysis, system hardening and recovery when necessary
  • Provides installation, system configuration, hardening and optimization for infrastructure, application, and security components and systems such as servers, workstations, mobile devices, directory services, operating systems, middleware, IOT, web and next generation firewalls, machine and human behavior learning tools, host-based security system, security event and incident monitoring systems, virtual, physical, and cloud platforms.
  • Identifies configuration gaps independently and/or with vendors to reduce cybersecurity risks
  • Reviews alerts and data from sensors and documents formal, technical incident reports
  • Tests new systems and manage cybersecurity risks and remediation system testing, baseline, and best practices
  • Responds to computer security incidents according to the computer security incident response policy and procedures
  • Provides technical guidance to first responders for handling information security incidents
  • Provides timely and relevant updates to appropriate stakeholders and decision makers
  • Communicates investigation findings to relevant business units to help improve the information security posture
  • Validates and maintains incident response plans and processes to address potential threats
  • Compiles and analyzes data for management reporting and metrics
  • Monitors relevant information sources to stay up to date on current attacks and trends
  • Analyzes potential impact of new threats and communicates risks back to detection analyst, architect, technology SME, and management functions
  • Performs root-cause analysis to document findings, and participate in root-cause elimination activities as required
  • Uses judgment to form conclusions that may challenge conventional wisdom
  • Hypothesizes new threats and indicators of compromise
  • Monitors threat intelligence feeds to identify a range of threats, including indicators of compromise and advanced persistent threats (APTs)
  • Identifies the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) of potential threats through the MITRE ATT&CK or similar frameworks. 
  • Participate in the creation of enterprise security documents (policies, standards, baselines, guidelines, and procedures) under the direction of the IT Security Manager, where appropriate.
The role will provide a proactive approach to cybersecurity while also performing investigation of security incidents related to MTA operations related to Cyber Security.   
 
 Level 6
  • Serves as a technical resource for multiple components of the security architecture, risk analysis, and analytics to help define the problems and identify remediation strategies for them. 
  • Troubleshoots and analyzes most problems within assigned area(s), providing cybersecurity correlation, expertise, and resolution that may be complicated by technology interdependency and challenging security issues
  • Participates in planning for the future technical architecture, providing insight into the future of their area of technology in order to continually improve effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Participates in or leads the development of roadmaps related to their area(s) of expertise to manage and meet identified technology needs.
  • Participates in the evaluation of new technologies relative to their domain(s) to determine applicability to and best meet the needs of MTA and constituent agencies.  
  • Specifies the monitoring points to assess performance of technologies in their domain(s).  Recommends the necessary actions to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
  • Develops disaster recovery and contingency plans for their domain(s) to provide users with minimal interruptions in service.
  • Provides technical leadership to project teams in their area of expertise to promote technical understanding and talent development and/or leads teams to complete projects when a project manager has not been assigned. 
  • Contributes to the technical elements of RFPs and RFIs and negotiates with vendors on technical issues to ensure results are delivered in line with user and organization requirements.
  • Interacts with major providers at the technical expert level to address mission critical issues, evaluates ongoing vendor service level and enforces SLAs and penalties.
  • Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.
  • Observing the work performed by the contractor.
  • Reviewing invoices and approving them if the work has contractual standards.
  • Addressing performance issues with the contractor when possible.
  • Escalating issues to other parties as needed.
 
Qualifications: 
 
Education and experience:
  • Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 8 year of relevant experience in a specific cybersecurity subdomain (Cloud, Applications, Infrastructure, Security Technology, etc.)
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • Must possess at least one of the following professional certifications in subject domain including but not limited to: Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP), or Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or other related certification(s) 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related fields preferred.
  • Verifiable implementation of security domain controls for enterprise technologies
  • Requires seasoned expertise in multiple technologies and strong understanding of the current and future technology architecture, including the inter-operability of technologies.
  • Advanced ability to conduct and analyze a security risk assessment
  • Expert understanding of TCP/IP (OSI Layers 1– 4) and Internet and Intranet technologies required (OSI Layers 5-7) required.
  • Some scripting or programming skills (PERL, Python, PowerShell, etc.) preferred as needed.
Competencies: 
Management Level​ 
Proficiency Level 
Standard Competencies 
Level 6
Expert
Communicates Effectively
Advanced
Technical Skills
Tech Savvy
Values Diversity     
Collaborates
Adept
Customer Focus
Cultivates Innovation
Preferred Technical Skills: 
 
  • Strong cybersecurity experience and a deep understanding of technology and cybersecurity domain principles.  
  • Strong experience working specifically on securing OT/ICS systems. 
  • Operational Technology (Thorough Knowledge/Fully Proficient)
  • PLC network protocols (Thorough Knowledge/Fully Proficient).
  • Expert ability to conduct and analyze a security risk assessment.
  • Proficient in monitoring network traffic of critical infrastructure to identify threats & vulnerabilities. 
  • Proficient in Network Engineering/Architecture.  
  • Demonstrated ability in implementing/solutioning cybersecurity tools/systems (firewalls, IAM, SIEM, etc.)  
  • Experience in scripting or programming skills (PERL, Python, PowerShell, etc.).  
  • Proficient in productivity tools (PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, etc.).  
  • Experience in programming/securing PLC/HMI’s. 
  • Familiarity with multiple ICS/SCADA equipment manufacturers, system platform architectures, PTC & HMI programming, and OT network communications protocols.
  • Industrial Control System (ICS) network segmentation design experience and familiarity with the Purdue Model / IEC-62443. 
Soft Skills: 
  • Strong team player with excellent communication and documentation skills.  
  • Ambition to learn and willingness to improvise and compromise based on stakeholder/project resources and needs, project limitations, and stakeholder capabilities. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and navigate organizational ambiguity.
  • Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact.
        
GENERAL:      
  • May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends) 
  • Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites 
            
Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).          
MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.            
             
The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.