Malware Analyst
A Malware Analyst investigates, analyzes, and reverse engineers malicious software to understand and defend against cyber threats.
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Sample Job Descriptions for Malware Analyst
Below are the some sample job descriptions for the different experience levels, where you can find the summary of the role, required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.
Junior (0-2 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
As a junior malware analyst, you will be responsible for assisting in the analysis and identification of malicious software to protect an organization's IT infrastructure. You will work under supervision to help gather and interpret data, study how malware affects host systems, and contribute to the development of countermeasures.
Required Skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Technical writing and reporting.
- Basic knowledge of programming/scripting languages (e.g., Python, C/C++, or Assembly).
- Experience with malware analysis tools (e.g., IDA Pro, OllyDbg, x64dbg).
- Understanding of dynamic and static analysis of malware.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
- Understanding of malware analysis concepts and basic cybersecurity principles.
- Familiarity with reverse engineering tools and techniques.
- Knowledge of various operating systems and networking concepts.
- Ability to work well in a team and communicate effectively.
Responsibilities
- Assist in the analysis of malware samples to understand their behavior and impact.
- Work with senior analysts to reverse-engineer malware to determine its origin and purpose.
- Maintain and update a database of identified malware signatures.
- Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to support incident response activities.
- Develop technical reports and documentation on malware findings.
- Conduct research on emerging malware threats.
- Participate in continuous education to stay up-to-date with malware analysis techniques and tools.
Intermediate (2-5 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
As a Malware Analyst, you will be tasked with the crucial role of protecting the organization's IT infrastructure by analyzing and dissecting malware to understand their behavior, origin, and impact. Your work plays a pivotal role in developing defense strategies, mitigating security risks, and enhancing cybersecurity measures.
Required Skills
- In-depth knowledge of malware operation and indicators of compromise.
- Proficiency in reverse engineering and debugging tools (IDA Pro, OllyDbg, x64dbg).
- Ability to analyze and interpret complex data and technical information.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
- 2-5 years of relevant experience in malware analysis or a closely related field.
- Strong understanding of various operating systems and their inherent security vulnerabilities.
- Experience with forensic analysis tools and techniques.
- Hands-on experience with programming and scripting languages such as Python, C/C++, or assembly language.
Responsibilities
- Investigate, analyze, and reverse engineer various types of malware, including viruses, worms, trojans, and rootkits.
- Provide detailed analysis and reporting on malware threats, infection vectors, and potential impact.
- Develop and improve tools and techniques for malware detection, analysis, and containment.
- Collaborate with the cybersecurity team to enhance incident response procedures and strategies.
- Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity threats, trends, and countermeasures.
- Contribute to threat intelligence by sharing findings with the broader security community.
Senior (5+ years of experience)
Summary of the Role
A Malware Analyst is an experienced cybersecurity professional specializing in the detection, analysis, and mitigation of malware threats. They examine suspicious code and software to understand the nature of threats, devise strategies to counteract them, and work to improve organizational security posture. The senior role requires a deep technical understanding of malware, reverse engineering, and cyber threat landscapes, along with the ability to guide and mentor junior analysts.
Required Skills
- Expertise in malware reverse engineering and analysis techniques.
- Proficient in the use of various malware analysis tools and software.
- Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash for automation and tool development.
- Understanding of network protocols and infrastructure as it pertains to malware operation and spread.
- Ability to write comprehensive reports and communicate complex technical information clearly.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
- At least 5 years of experience working in malware analysis or a closely related cybersecurity role.
- Certifications such as Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst (CREA), GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM), or equivalent.
- Strong background in computer networking, operating systems, and software vulnerabilities.
- Experience with tools and environments used in malware analysis such as IDA Pro, OllyDbg, x64dbg, Wireshark, Cuckoo Sandbox, or similar.
Responsibilities
- Conduct in-depth analysis of malware samples to determine their purpose, functionality, and impact.
- Reverse-engineer malware to understand attack vectors and the nature of any payload delivered.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest cyber threat intelligence and malware trends to enhance detection and analysis capabilities.
- Develop and refine tools and techniques for malware dissection and analysis.
- Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to design and implement defense strategies and mitigation techniques.
- Produce detailed reports and threat intelligence briefings for both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Mentor and train junior malware analysts in best practices and advanced analysis techniques.
- Participate in incident response activities and assist in the forensic analysis of cyber attacks.
- Contribute to the creation of signatures, rules, and alerts used in intrusion detection systems (IDS) and security platforms.
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