Principal Consultant, Offensive Security

Summary

Join Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 Consulting team as a Principal Consultant in Offensive Security. You will assess and challenge client security postures, utilizing various tools and acting as a team leader. Responsibilities include penetration testing, vulnerability detection, report generation, and developing automation tools. You will also contribute to internal infrastructure design and threat hunting. The role requires extensive experience in risk assessment, penetration testing, and various security technologies. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience is needed. Compensation includes a base salary between $151,000 and $208,000, restricted stock units, and a bonus.

Requirements

• 6+ years of professional experience with risk assessment tools, technologies, and methods focused on Information Assurance, Information Systems/Network Security, Infrastructure Design, and Vulnerabilities Assessments
• Experience managing a team of consultants
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of how malicious software works (i.e.-malware, trojans, rootkits, etc.)
• Ability to modify known and/or craft custom exploits manually without dependence on consumer tools such as Metasploit
• Strong knowledge of tools and techniques used to conduct network, wireless, and web application penetration testing
• Familiarity with web application penetration testing and code auditing to find security gaps and vulnerabilities
• Knowledge and experience in conducting cyber risk assessments using industry standards
• Experience with penetration testing, administering, and troubleshooting major flavors of Linux, Windows, and major cloud IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS providers (i.e., AWS, GCP, and Azure)
• Experience with scripting and editing existing code and programming using one or more of the following: Perl, Python, ruby, bash, C/C++, C#, or Java
• Experience with security assessment tools, including Nessus, OpenVAS, MobSF. Metasploit, Burp Suite Pro, Cobalt Strike, Bloodhound, and Empire
• Knowledge of application, database, and web server design and implementation
• Knowledge of network vulnerability assessments, web and cloud application security testing, network penetration testing, red teaming, security operations, or 'hunt
• Knowledge of open security testing standards and projects, including OWASP & MITRE ATT&CK
• Ability to read and use the results of mobile code, malicious code, and anti-virus software
• Ability to scope new opportunities with prospective clients, including drafting statements of work and proposals
• Knowledge of computer forensic tools, technologies, and methods
• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Security, Computer Science, Digital Forensics, Cyber Security, or equivalent years of professional experience or equivalent military experiences to meet job requirements and expectations

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development of internal infrastructure design for research, development, and testing focused on offensive security
• Conducts periodic scans of networks to find and detect vulnerabilities
• Performs client penetration testing to find any vulnerabilities or weaknesses that might be exploited by a malicious party, using open-source, custom, and commercial testing tools
• Ability to assist in scoping engagements by clearly articulating various penetration approaches and methodologies to audiences ranging from highly technical to executive personnel
• Report generation that clearly communicates testing and assessment details, results, and remediation recommendations to clients
• Develop scripts, tools, and methodologies to automate and streamline internal processes and engagements
• Conducts IT application testing, cybersecurity tool and systems analysis, system and network administration, and systems engineering support for the sustainment of information technology systems. (mobile application testing, penetration testing, application, security, and hardware testing)
• Conduct threat hunting and/or compromise assessment engagements to identify active or dormant indicators of compromise (IoCs) using Crypsis and Palo Alto Networks’ threat hunting tools (and/or client owned hunting instrumentation where applicable)
• Assist Crypsis Leadership in the development of security standards and best practices for the organization and recommend security enhancements as needed
• Able to conduct cyber risk assessments using frameworks or standards like NIST CSF, ISO 27001/2, PCI, CIS Top 20, CMMC, or other industry measurement tools
• Conduct cloud penetration testing engagements to assess specific workloads (i.e., AWS, GCP, Azure, containers, or other PaaS and SaaS instances) for vulnerabilities and subsequently attempt to exploit identified weaknesses after receiving permission from client stakeholders
• Provide recommendations to clients on specific security measures to monitor and protect sensitive data and systems from infiltration and cyber-attacks including response and recovery of a data security breach
• Ability to perform travel requirements as needed to meet business demands (on average 30%)

Preferred Qualifications

• Identified ability to grow into a valuable contributor to the practice and, specifically - have an external presence via public speaking, conferences, and/or publications
• Have credibility, executive presence, and gravitas
• Be able to have a meaningful and rapid delivery contribution
• Have the potential and capacity to understand all aspects of the business and an excellent understanding of PANW products
• Be collaborative and able to build relationships internally, externally, and across all PANW functions, including the sales team

Benefits

• Base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $151000 - $208000/YR
• Restricted stock units
• A bonus