Senior Principal Researcher

Summary

Join Palo Alto Networks as a Strategic Threat Intelligence Advisor (Retail and Hospitality) and become a key member of the Unit 42 Threat Intelligence team. Leverage your expertise in threat intelligence to protect the retail and hospitality industries. You will analyze threat data, communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders, and establish thought leadership within the industry. This senior-level role requires extensive experience in threat intelligence, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. You will contribute to the development of impactful cybersecurity research and foster strong relationships with industry partners. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Requirements

• 10+ years experience in threat intelligence focused on a variety of threats including but not limited to: ransomware, nation-state, cyber-crime, supply-chain/3rd party risks, cloud, mobile, dark web, offensive security, and insider threats
• Expert understanding of the adversary’s attack lifecycle, TTPs and high-fidelity indicators of compromise
• Experience with tools for data analysis, such as passive DNS, network infrastructure and host-based information
• Proven communicator and collaborator with demonstrated success in building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Clear ability to lead tasks/projects independently and drive process improvement across teams
• Proven record as a problem solver in complex and often ambiguous situations
• Drive to overcome the most challenging obstacles and look for ways to improve results
• Ability to understand and assimilate different points of view, manage time and prioritize work based on project needs and deadlines

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate expertise in collecting and analyzing threat intelligence data across all categories of cyber threats relevant to the retail and hospitality industries
• Document and communicate emerging threats, trends and their potential impact to the retail and hospitality industries in a timely manner
• Translate your threat intelligence collection into multiple formats that can be shared effectively with internal and external partners focused on defending the retail and hospitality industries
• Ability to map new threat intelligence findings into threat intelligence repositories
• Be able to investigate and communicate an adversary’s actions through use of common frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK and the Diamond Model
• Conduct deep analysis using multiple types of Palo Alto Networks internal telemetry as well as open-source datasets across the entire threat landscape
• Be able to conduct quick-turnaround threat analysis and feedback support for high-visibility threat research and urgent requests for information
• Serve as an internal SME for threats related to the retail and hospitality industries
• Demonstrate thought leadership across Unit 42 and within the retail and hospitality industries
• Foster strong collaboration with key stakeholders across different functional teams and among partner organizations
• Grow industry connections

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert understanding of specific cybersecurity needs and concerns of the retail and hospitality industries
• Established relationships within the retail and hospitality industry
• Experienced public speaker at large industry conferences
• History of publishing impactful cybersecurity research and/or trend publications. Especially helpful if focused on the retail and hospitality industries
• Experience with using social media to connect with cybersecurity and industry peers
• Comfortable working within a remote team
• Ability to interpret and action internal and external reports including technical malware analysis
• Knowledge of scripting languages to facilitate data collection and analysis
• Has served as a mentor or team lead

Benefits

• The starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $182,000 - $295,000/YR
• The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus