Network Security Engineer (Hybrid)

Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN

Full-time

Nashville, TN

Educational Services

About the position

The Network Security Engineer at Vanderbilt University is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing network security systems, including firewalls and remote access solutions. This role involves troubleshooting network security issues, enhancing security protocols, and ensuring the protection and optimization of information systems. The engineer will also participate in an on-call rotation for after-hours support and collaborate with IT teams and customers to meet the university's network security needs.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy network security systems, including firewalls and remote access solutions.
• Develop and implement firewall policies and rules to safeguard against unauthorized access and threats.
• Configure and deploy intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), content filtering, IPSec tunnels, and other security technologies.
• Ensure alignment of network security systems with industry standards and best practices.
• Provide customer support, promptly respond to service requests, and communicate effectively to fulfill customer needs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve network security issues to ensure minimal downtime and optimal performance.
• Implement and maintain network management tools for continuous monitoring of network security systems to facilitate proactive issue detection and resolution.
• Plan, schedule, and execute upgrades and lifecycle management for firewalls and remote access systems to maintain security and compliance with industry standards.
• Respond to security incidents, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain detailed documentation of system configurations, procedures, and network diagrams.
• Provide valuable insights and recommendations for enhancing network security protocols.
• Develop and update network security policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in network security.
• Identify opportunities for improving security operations and implementing best practices.
• Collaborate with other IT and cybersecurity team members to optimize the university's security posture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience required.
• 4-7 years of relevant network security experience is necessary.
• Proficiency in network security tools and technologies, including firewalls, VPNs, TCP/IP, network protocol analyzers, IDS/IPS, and encryption is necessary.
• Understanding of security information and event management (SIEM) systems and security architectures is necessary.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills is necessary.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy is necessary.
• Ability to work on-call rotations for after-hours support is necessary.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field is preferred.
• Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+, GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC), Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Administrator (PNCSA), or Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Engineer (PCNSE) are preferred.
• Experience with Palo Alto firewalls is preferred.
• Understanding of cloud networking concepts and integration with on-premises infrastructure is preferred.

Benefits

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment.
• Access to resources for continuous learning.