Principal Information System Security Officer

Overview

Steampunk is searching for a Principal Information System Security Officer to support a government customer.  The primary responsibilities for the position are to support all activities that ensure the level of security documented with the security authorization is maintained at an acceptable level of risk. The nature of the work requires that the candidate demonstrate initiative, organization, responsibility, customer service skills, and the ability to be flexible and adaptive to a fast-paced, fluid business environment. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and decisively with all levels of the organization and be able to solve practical problems as well as exercise sound judgement with regards to sensitive and confidential information.

Contributions

The Principal ISSO serves as a Lead Cyber Security Specialist and will perform ISSO responsibilities to include:  

• Assist with critical initiatives and maintain system documentation including SSPs, POA&Ms, and continuous monitoring artifacts. 

• Oversee security control implementation, develop mitigation strategies for vulnerabilities, and drive remediation in collaboration with engineering and operations teams. 

• Ensure system compliance with NIST SP 800-53, FISMA, Department policies, and related federal standards. 

• Conduct risk analyses on system changes, configurations, and cloud integrations, providing authoritative recommendations on cybersecurity posture improvements. 

• Coordinate with system administrators, ISSMs, and assessors to manage the full lifecycle of system accreditation and authorization. 

• Enforce technical security baselines, encryption standards, and access control policies aligned with organizational mission requirements. 

• Perform continuous monitoring activities, review security event logs, and validate vulnerability management effectiveness. 

• Contribute to the development of cybersecurity policies, standard operating procedures, and engineering documentation. 

• Mentor junior ISSOs and guide project teams in implementing security best practices across systems and applications. 

• Ensure configuration management processes are followed to ensure that any changes do not introduce new security risks 

• Respond to emerging requirements or policies as set by legislation, regulation or policy 

• Participate in DevSecOps (security integrated into Agile processes) requirements for assigned systems 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of cybersecurity experience; which must be FISMA-related OR
  • No degree and 12 years of cybersecurity experience; 10 of which must be FISMA-related OR
  • Master’s Degree in an IT field and 6 years of cybersecurity experience; which must be FISMA-related
• Must possess one of the following certifications:
  • Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
  • CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)
  •  Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  •  Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
  • Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
  • GIAC Information Security Professional (GISP)
  •  GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC)

• Applies extensive knowledge of a variety of the IA field’s concepts, practices, and procedures to ensure the secure integration and operation of all systems
• Extensive specialized knowledge of financial audit standards, classified system IA requirements and Privacy Act requirements
• Specialized knowledge and experience with the implementation of the NIST Special Publication (SP) 800 family of publications, particularly those associated with the Risk Management Framework.
• Specialized knowledge and experience with evaluating system, network, or infrastructure security controls against requirements such as FISMA, FIPS, and NIST guidelines Knowledge and experience with the vulnerability scanning execution, assessment, and analysis
• Knowledge and experience with the operating system and network knowledge (i.e., Local Area Networks [LAN] and Wide Area Networks [WAN])
• Knowledge and experience with application security, database security, and network security
• Knowledge and experience with the vulnerability scanning, assessment, and analysis
• Knowledge and experience with the information security and assurance principles (e.g., Defense-in-depth) and associated supporting technologies
• Ability to assess and weigh current and evolving security threats in an operational environment