Palo Alto Networks

Principal Consultant, DFIR, Reactive Services (Unit 42)

Palo Alto Networks$136K — $187K *
US-Anywhere
+ 2 other locationsRemote
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree (8+ years experience) or Master's degree (6+ years) or PhD (3+ years) in Information Security, Computer Science, Digital Forensics, or related field.
  • Direct experience in incident response or digital forensics consulting.
  • Proficiency in host-based forensics and data breach response methodologies.
  • Hands-on experience with tools like EnCase, FTK, X-Ways, SIFT, Splunk and others.
  • Willingness to travel up to 20% as needed.

Responsibilities

  • Lead incident response engagements, ensuring thorough work scoping and client guidance during investigations.
  • Conduct host-based analysis on various systems (Windows, Linux, Mac OS X) to detect Indicators of Compromise (IOCs).
  • Analyze firewall, web, database logs, etc. to identify evidence of malicious activities.
  • Investigate data breaches with forensic tools to ascertain the origin and extent of incidents.
  • Advise clients on actionable recommendations for improving security and remediation.
  • Collaborate with teams and stakeholders for comprehensive solution delivery.
  • Mentor junior team members in best practices of incident response and digital forensics.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package as described in the company's offerings.
Full Job Description
Job Summary

Key Responsibilities
  • Manage and lead incident response engagements, including scoping work, guiding clients through forensic investigations, and containing security incidents.
  • Perform reactive incident response and host-based analysis on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X systems to identify Indicators of Compromise (IOCs).
  • Examine firewall, web, database, and other log sources to identify evidence of malicious activity and attack vectors.
  • Investigate data breaches using forensic tools like EnCase, FTK, X-Ways, SIFT, and Splunk to determine the source and scope of compromises.
  • Provide clients with clear, actionable recommendations for long-term remediation and security posture improvement.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and deliver comprehensive solutions.
  • Act as a mentor for junior team members, sharing expertise in incident response and digital forensics best practices.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree with 8 years of experience, or Master's degree with 6 years of experience, or PhD with 3 years of experience in Information Security, Computer Science, Digital Forensics, or a related field.
  • Direct experience in incident response or digital forensics consulting.
  • Proficiency with host-based forensics and data breach response methodologies.
  • Hands-on experience with forensic tools such as EnCase, FTK, X-Ways, SIFT, Splunk, Redline, Volatility, or WireShark.
  • Ability to travel as needed to meet business demands, averaging up to 20%.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong leadership skills with experience leading complex technical engagements and interfacing directly with clients, from technical administrators to C-suite executives.
  • Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across internal and external functions.
  • Established credibility in the cybersecurity community through public speaking, conference presentations, or publications.
  • Excellent executive presence and communication skills.


Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

$136,000.00 - $187,000.00/yr

About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. is an American multinational cybersecurity company with headquarters in Santa Clara, California. Its core products are a platform that includes advanced firewalls and cloud-based offerings that extend those firewalls to cover other aspects of security. The company serves over 70,000 organizations in over 150 countries, including 85 of the Fortune 100. It is home to the Unit 42 threat research team and hosts the Ignite cybersecurity conference.
Learn more about Palo Alto Networks
Size
11,870 employees
Market Cap
$42.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$368.2 million
Founded
2005
5 Year Trend
+25.7%
Revenue
$3.7 billion
NASDAQ

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