Job Title: Junior Security Analyst Location: Remote Department: Information Security Reports To: Security Operations / Information Security Manager Employment Type: Contract-to-hire Job Summary The Junior Security Analyst supports the organization’s security operations by monitoring security events, assisting with incident response, and helping maintain a strong security posture across endpoints, identities, and cloud services. This role is ideal for someone early in their security career who has hands-on experience with Microsoft Defender , communicates clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences, and is eager to grow in a collaborative, hybrid environment.

Key Responsibilities

Security Operations & Monitoring

• Monitor and triage security alerts from

Microsoft Defender and related security tooling.

• Assist with investigation of endpoint, identity, and cloud security events.
• Escalate potential security incidents to senior analysts following documented procedures.
• Help validate alerts and reduce false positives through analysis and documentation.

Incident Response Support

• Participate in incident response activities, including evidence collection, documentation, and follow-up tasks.
• Assist with containment and remediation efforts under the guidance of senior security staff.
• Support post-incident reviews and lessons learned documentation.

Communication & Collaboration

• Clearly document security findings, incidents, and remediation steps.
• Communicate security issues in a professional, easy-to-understand manner to IT teams and business stakeholders.
• Work closely with IT, Help Desk, and Infrastructure teams to resolve security-related issues.
• Provide timely updates on alert status and investigation progress.

Security Hygiene & Continuous Improvement

• Assist with maintaining endpoint security baselines and security best practices.
• Help review and improve security processes, runbooks, and documentation.
• Stay current on common security threats, attacker techniques, and Microsoft security platform updates.

Required Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in

IT, security operations, SOC, or a related role .

• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Defender

(endpoint, identity, or cloud).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to document technical issues clearly and accurately.
• Basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts such as malware, phishing, endpoint security, and incident response.
• Ability to work in a

hybrid environment with on-site presence in Birmingham, Alabama.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Microsoft security tools beyond Defender.
• Familiarity with basic security frameworks or concepts (e.g., NIST).
• Experience working with ticketing or incident tracking systems.
• Security-related certifications or coursework (e.g., Security+, Microsoft security fundamentals).

Key Skills & Competencies

• Microsoft Defender alert review and investigation
• Clear, professional communication
• Attention to detail and documentation
• Willingness to learn and take feedback
• Team-oriented mindset