Senior Firewall Engineer

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU, and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting 

The NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) is responsible for providing secure and effective communications and information technology (IT) services to NATO's member countries and its partners. The agency was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

The NCIA provides a wide range of services, including:

• Cyber Security: The NCIA provides advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect NATO's communication networks and information systems against cyber threats.
• Command and Control Systems: The NCIA develops and maintains the systems used by NATO's military commanders to plan and execute operations.
• Satellite Communications: The NCIA provides satellite communications services to enable secure and reliable communications between NATO forces.
• Electronic Warfare: The NCIA provides electronic warfare services to support NATO's mission to detect, deny, and defeat threats to its communication networks.
• Information Management: The NCIA manages NATO's information technology infrastructure, including its databases, applications, and servers.

Overall, the NCIA plays a critical role in ensuring the security and effectiveness of NATO's communication and information technology capabilities.

The program

Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) is NATO’s principal C3 capability deliverer and CIS service provider. It provides, maintains and defends the NATO enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure to enable Allies to consult together under Article IV, and, when required, stand together in the face of attack under Article V.

To provide these critical services, in the modern evolving dynamic environment the NCI Agency needs to build and maintain high performance-engaged workforce. The NCI Agency workforce strategically consists of three major categorise's: NATO International Civilians (NIC)'s, Military (Mil), and Interim Workforce Consultants (IWC)'s. The IWCs are a critical part of the overall NCI Agency workforce and make up approximately 15 percent of the total workforce.

Role Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of Section Head, Gateway Security Services, the 'Level 3 Firewall and Guard Engineer' will have two primary roles:

• Build, implement, maintain, and support firewalls and other network security devices.
• Configuring, maintaining and supporting Mailguards and Data Diodes

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Central administration and configuration of Firewalls, Guards and Data Diodes to ensure continuing functionality and availability.
• Firewall policy/ruleset implementation and verification
• Updating and implementation of guard and diode configuration
• Provide technical support in troubleshooting infrastructure and operational issues and collaborating with other teams for a successful resolution;
• Collaborate with the Infrastructure Management and other Cyber Security teams
• Provide assistance to Incident Handlers to identify and remediate security incidents
• Review security documentation and provide technical advice, when requested
• Perform other duties as may be required.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Palo Alto Networks Firewalls and Palo Alto Networks Panorama for Enterprise level deployments
• Firewall installation and management of other vendors
• System Administration of *nix-based Operating Systems
• Scripting (Bash, Python, Ansible)
• Other Boundaries Protections Devices such as mail gateways or data diodes
• Experience with network protocols and traffic analysis
• Ability to troubleshoot complex network security issues
• LAN/WAN networking including protocol network architecture, and the vulnerabilities of modern operating systems and applications
• TCP/IP protocols and services
• Excellent communication abilities, both written and verbal, with the ability to clearly and successfully articulate complex issues to a variety of audiences and teams In addition to the above, it is desirable for the contracted individual to have working experience and knowledge in the following areas:
• Understanding of Information Security Practices; relating to the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of information (CIA triad.)
• Previous work in an international environment comprising both military and civilian elements.
• Possession of Industry leading certification in the area of Cybersecurity such as CISSP, CISM, MCSE/S, CISA, GSNA, SANS GIAC

Working Location

• Mons, Belgium

Working Policy

• On-Site

Travel

• Some travel to Brussels,Belgium, The Hague, Netherlands or Brunssum. Netherlandsmay be required.

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Cosmic Top Secret personal security clearance