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, IT.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Role overview

Confidential Client (via Careertakes) is seeking an Entry Level Security Analyst to join a DMV-focused security team based in Blythewood, SC. This is an early-career, hands-on role with on-the-job training where you will support threat intelligence, detection, incident response, log analysis, and endpoint/network security tasks. The team will train the selected candidate; we expect applicants to have fundamental server or network administration experience that can be developed into security skills.

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What You’ll Do

• Monitor and analyze threat intelligence feeds and open-source intelligence (OSINT) to identify emerging threats relevant to the organization.
• Perform proactive threat-hunting using provided tools and playbooks; document methodologies and findings.
• Review and interpret logs from firewalls, endpoints, and servers to identify indicators of compromise (IOCs).
• Assist in initial incident triage and follow established response frameworks (e.g., NIST, MITRE) to escalate and contain security events.
• Collaborate with senior analysts to create and refine detection rules (SIEM queries, Defender for Endpoint rules, etc.).
• Support vulnerability management by analyzing reports, prioritizing patching, and applying NIST best practices.
• Use SCCM, GPO, and PowerShell for patch deployment and routine automation tasks; expand automation beyond these tools where appropriate.
• Configure and review endpoint and network security policies; analyze alerts and help tune protections.
• Contribute to documentation, incident reports, after-action reviews, and training materials to improve organizational readiness.
• Assist with basic digital forensics and build knowledge of cloud security controls as cloud adoption increases.

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Required qualifications

• Understanding of security concepts and common security processes.
• Understanding of basic computer, server, and network concepts.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze technical logs and follow technical documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively within a mid-sized team.

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Preferred qualifications

• 1+ year experience in server or network administration.
• 1+ year experience in an IT security–focused role (internship, SOC, helpdesk with security responsibilities, etc.).
• Experience with SIEM and endpoint security tools.
• Familiarity with PowerShell, Group Policy (GPO), and endpoint management (SCCM or similar).
• Knowledge of vulnerability management and basic cloud security concepts.
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field (preferred).
• Certifications such as GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC), CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, or GIAC Incident Handler (GCIH) are advantageous.

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Technical skills & tools

• SIEM query creation and tuning (detection rule development).
• Endpoint detection & response (e.g., Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or similar).
• Log analysis: firewalls, servers, endpoints.
• Automation scripting with PowerShell; SCCM and GPO for deployments.
• Basic network protocol knowledge and firewall configuration understanding.
• Familiarity with OSINT tools for threat research.

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Compensation & additional info

• Estimated compensation: $95,051 per year (Adzuna estimate). Exact salary range and benefits will be provided by Confidential Client during the hiring process.
• This is a full-time, on-site role based in Blythewood, SC. Training will be provided.
• Applicants should be prepared to pass background checks and follow any client-specific onboarding requirements.

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What makes a strong application

• Clear examples (even from coursework or internships) showing analytical troubleshooting, log review, or scripting to automate tasks.
• Demonstrated curiosity about threat actors, detection methods, and continuous improvement of detection/use-case coverage.
• Any hands-on projects or labs (e.g., SIEM queries, PowerShell scripts, forensic write-ups) that illustrate capability and learning mindset.

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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.

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