Junior Security Specialist- Incident Response
The Junior Security Specialist supports the Information Security team by assisting with incident response coordination, vulnerability scanning, and system monitoring to enhance the organization's security posture. This hybrid role involves collaborating with senior staff on security projects, monitoring security tools, and participating in awareness and training activities, providing a growth opportunity for candidates with foundational cybersecurity knowledge.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Insurance.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Overview
This is an entry-level Security role supporting incident response, vulnerability scanning, and security operations. The Confidential Client is hiring a Junior Security Specialist — Incident Response in Henrico, VA. This is a hybrid position (typically 2 days in-office / 3 days remote after training/probation). No relocation offered.
Primary Duties
- Support incident response efforts by collecting log data and assisting with ticket triage.
- Assist with system event triage, non-conformance tracking, and basic remediation coordination.
- Run and document internal and external vulnerability scans.
- Monitor security tools and alerts; escalate issues to senior team members.
- Participate in phishing simulations and security awareness activities.
- Help maintain documentation for security policies, procedures, and standards.
- Collaborate with IT and compliance teams to support risk and regulatory requirements.
- Stay current on foundational cybersecurity trends and threats.
Additional Duties
- Assist with account access reviews and basic IAM tasks.
- Support endpoint protection tasks including monitoring and updating security software.
- Take part in tabletop exercises and team training sessions.
- Help document unremediated vulnerabilities in the risk registry when directed.
- Perform other information security duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- 1–3 years of experience in IT or cybersecurity-related roles.
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Entry-level security certification preferred (e.g., CompTIA Security+, GIAC GSEC, Microsoft SC-900).
- Basic understanding of network devices, operating systems, and security principles.
- Strong desire to learn and grow in the cybersecurity field.
Required Skills
- Familiarity with vulnerability scanning tools and basic remediation workflows.
- Basic knowledge of the incident response lifecycle and pentesting methodologies.
- Understanding of network and endpoint security fundamentals.
- Ability to follow procedures and document work clearly.
- Strong communication, teamwork, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications
- Exposure to SIEM, EDR, IAM, or MDR platforms.
- Familiarity with NIST, CIS, or ISO security frameworks.
- Experience with cloud environments and mobile device management.
- Hands-on troubleshooting and system monitoring experience.
Compensation & Location
- Compensation range: $74,000 - $79,000 annually.
- Location: Henrico, VA — hybrid schedule (in-office 2 days/week, remote 3 days/week after training/probation).
- No relocation assistance provided.
Why Join
- Growth-oriented role with hands-on incident response and vulnerability management experience.
- Paid training and continuing education reimbursement.
- Medical and dental coverage available from day one, generous 401(k) contribution, and competitive PTO.
- Work within a collaborative security team with mentorship from senior practitioners.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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