IBM Network Security Consultant 

India, Maharashtra, Pune 

67593254

Role & Responsibilities:

• We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Technical Network Security Engineer who will be
• responsible for providing Expert Support (Design, Configuration and Troubleshooting) to our customer, focusing on Cisco’s Security Technology Portfolio -Cisco Stealthwatch (Secure Network Analytics).

Customer Support:

• Respond promptly to customer inquiries, troubleshoot, and resolve issues related to target technologies.
• Provide remote support and on-site assistance as required, ensuring timely issue resolution.
• Working in co-ordination with customer and customer NI team ensuring to get deep understanding of customer network and traffic flows.

Technical Expertise:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Cisco’s Security Products Portfolio.
• Stay updated on the latest developments in Cisco technologies and incorporate them into troubleshooting and support activities.
• Troubleshooting and Problem Resolution
• Excellent knack to Diagnose and resolve complex security and data routing issues involving Cisco hardware, software, and protocols in the shortest period.
• Ability to use advanced Troubleshooting methodologies
• Deep command of software diagnostic capabilities (traces, logs, show commands, performance measurements, deep knowledge of security, Switching and Routing protocols).
• Utilize network programming languages like Python and automation tools such as Ansible for efficient data collection, correlation and issue resolution.
• Provide technical troubleshooting and guidance during maintenance windows.
• Ability to work on interoperability scenarios
• Ability to Setup simulation topologies within the client network or in Cisco labs to recreate complex or intermittent issues, identifying causes, triggers, and potential solutions.

Maintenance Window Support:

• Collaborate with clients and network operators to plan and execute maintenance windows effectively.
• Creative problem solver, comfortable with challenging the status quo and rapidly responding to escalated issues.
• Define Maintenance Window Actions, Objectives, and review or prepare Method of Procedures (MOP) encompassing Execution Steps, Timing, Plan-B/Recovery Options, Validation Steps/Methods, and benchmarks.
• Ensure technical governance of the maintenance window to guarantee a successful outcome.
• Lead or contribute to Systems/Service recovery plans for potential failure scenarios.
• Provide problem root-cause analysis at the network infrastructure and application level and produce detailed technical reports that include root causes, next steps, and recommendations for corrective and preventive actions.
• Work with TAC team to recreate the issue and drive towards root-cause analysis
• Shorten the time to resolution during complex situations by using knowledge of the customer network and their operations.
• Provide technical oversight during maintenance window execution, ensuring adherence to established procedures and minimizing service interruptions.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Proactively identify areas for improvement in network performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with internal teams to implement enhancements, updates, and optimizations based on identified improvement opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of new tools, processes, and best practices to streamline support and maintenance activities.
• Configuration Best Practices Audit:
• Perform regular audits of network configurations against Cisco’s Design and Configuration recommendations.
• Ensure adherence to best practices and recommend adjustments to optimize network performance and security.
• Collaborate with network operators to implement recommended configuration enhancements.
• Software Life Cycle Recommendations and Bug Scrubs:
• Undertake bug scrubs against target software releases as suggested by Cisco TAC, Cisco Engineering, or other Cisco reference documents.
• Scrutinize software releases for features and capabilities relevant to the client’s deployment.
• Leverage Cisco CX and Engineering scrub tools, methods, and processes to ensure software reliability and address potential issues.
• Strong understanding of PSIRT & Field notice and provide recommendations on the customer installed based on regular basis.
• Automation Skills:
• Apply automation skills to streamline repetitive tasks and enhance overall operational efficiency.
• Develop and maintain scripts and automation playbooks using languages like Python to automate network processes and tasks.
• Tool Proficiency:
• Proficiency in network topology tools such as MS Visio or equivalent for creating and documenting network designs.
• Familiarity with common customer tools including but not limited to NMS, Ticketing, Knowledge and Document Management, Syslog’s, Data Correlation, etc.
• Understanding and ability to use troubleshooting tools such as Wireshark and equivalent tools.
• Soft Skills:
• Self-Leaner and a love for troubleshooting and getting under the hood.
• Team player who leads by helping others and being available when the client/team needs them
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to stay calm and focused during outages and client escalations.
• Think on the feet to make quick and effective decisions under pressure.
• Engage Cisco, partner, and/or customer stakeholders to restore services at the earliest, using any method agreeable to the client.
• Build lasting trust and interpersonal relationships with all key stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the ability to address senior management at the client, partner, or Cisco.
• Documentation:
• Create and maintain detailed documentation, including knowledge base articles, troubleshooting guides, best practices, and comprehensive records of maintenance window activities.
• Document automated solutions using scripts and playbooks for future reference.
• Customer Training:
• Conduct training sessions for customers to enhance their understanding of Cisco Data Centre Networking technologies, with a focus on automation, scripting, configuration best practices, software life cycle management, tool usage, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with internal teams, including Engineering, Sales, and Product Management, to communicate customer needs and contribute to product improvement.
• Collaborate with Cisco TAC (Technical Assistance Centre) for advanced issue resolution and contribute to the development of automated support tools.
• Mentor and support L1 team for technical expertise and skills.
• Responsible for L1 team members skill development and trainings.
• Drive Process and technology standardization.
• Participate in periodic customer meetings.
• Ready to work in 24×7 rotational shift model including night shift.
• Explore different technologies available in the security industry.
• Closely work with SOC team and be responsible for incident detection, triage, analysis and response.
• Support the incident response team during major security incident with advance investigation skills.

Required Technical and Professional Expertise

• 6-7 years of experience in working Cisco’s Security Technology Portfolio and working as a Technical Specialist to manage the overall operation for ‘Secure Network Analytics’ (formerly Steathwatch)
• 6-7+ years’ experience in a technical capacity; preferably in a role related to any of the following disciplines: security operations, network monitoring or analysis, intrusion or anomaly detection
• minimum of 3-4 years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication, Computer science, Information Technology, or related field
• A solid foundation in Electronics and Communication, computer science or a related field provides the fundamental knowledge required for understanding networking principles and technologies.
• Cisco Certifications
• CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills in Cisco networking.
• Validates the ability to plan, implement, verify, and troubleshoot complex network solutions.
• CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) Preferred
• A highly regarded expert-level certification that demonstrates a deep understanding of Cisco networking technologies.
• Expert written and oral communication skills, including experience with executive-level presentations.
• Knowledge of and experience with standard network logging formats, network management systems and network security monitoring systems, security information, and event management, network packet analysis tools, and forensic analysis tools.
• Knowledge of and experience with web proxy, firewalls, IPS, IDS, mail content scanning appliances, enterprise Antivirus solutions, Network Analysers, and domain name servers desired
• Demonstrated knowledge in one or more of the following areas: network security principles, host-based security principles, network and system administration, forensic analysis principles
• Knowledge related to the current state of cyber international relations, adversary tactics, and trends.
• Ability to work quickly and a willingness to complete ad hoc, time-sensitive assignments.
• Demonstrated oral and written communications skills, ability to document technical analysis and articulate outcomes to non-technical audiences
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to effectively research, write, communicate and brief to varying levels of audiences, including at the executive level
• Previous experience managing cross-functional and interdisciplinary project teams to achieve tactical and strategic objectives.

Preferred Technical and Professional Expertise