Senior IT Security Analyst in Houston, Texas at ManhattanLife Assurance Company of America

ManhattanLife Insurance and Annuity Company was founded in 1850, the Company’s longevity makes it one of the oldest and most reliable health and life insurance companies in the country. Operating successfully for over 175 years is a testimony to ManhattanLife’s enduring history, and an indicator of the reliability of our future. ManhattanLife’s headquarters are in Houston, TX and the company is continually growing with multiple office locations nation-wide. ManhattanLife offers attractive employee benefits starting day one, including immediate coverage under our health, dental and vision plans. We offer flexible schedules, including shortened hours on Fridays, free parking, company-wide events, professional development (LOMA testing) and a company-wide wellness program.

Scope and Purpose:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated IT Security Analyst with a minimum of five years of professional experience in cybersecurity, threat detection, incident response, and security tool administration. This role is ideal for a proactive security professional with strong technical expertise and hands-on experience managing enterprise security platforms.

The successful candidate will play a key role in safeguarding the organization’s information systems, supporting the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of business-critical data and systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Proactively monitor and analyze network traffic, security alerts, and security events, performing threat-hunting activities using Arctic Wolf SOC.
• Respond to, investigate, and manage security incidents and alerts across Microsoft 365 Defender and Cisco security platforms.
• Handle security tickets, document findings, and escalate issues appropriately within Arctic Wolf’s portal.
• Configure, maintain, and support Cisco security solutions, including Cisco AMP/Secure Endpoint, Umbrella, Duo, and Cloud Email Security Appliances.
• Leverage Cylance to detect, investigate, and prevent endpoint-based threats.
• Administer, monitor, and optimize Akamai Web Application Firewall configuration, policies, and rule sets to protect web-facing applications from common exploits and threats.
• Stay current on emerging cyber threats, vulnerabilities, attack techniques, and mitigation strategies.
• Support continuous improvement of security monitoring, incident response, and endpoint protection processes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in IT security, cybersecurity operations, incident response, threat detection, or a closely related role.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise security tools, endpoint protection platforms, security alert triage, and incident management.
• Industry cybersecurity certification required, such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CySA+, GSEC, CISM, or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Minimum of five years of hands-on experience with Arctic Wolf SOC, including incident triage, alert review, ticket management, and escalation procedures.
• Minimum of five years of experience working with Microsoft 365 Defender, including Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Identity, and Defender for Office 365.
• Minimum of five years of operational experience with Cisco security technologies, including Cisco AMP/Secure Endpoint, Umbrella, Duo, and Cloud Email Security.
• Minimum of five years of experience using endpoint protection solutions, including Cylance or comparable platforms.
• Minimum of five years of experience configuring, administering, and managing Web Application Firewall technologies, preferably Akamai WAF.
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity principles, threat detection, vulnerability management, access controls, and incident response practices.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to document incidents, findings, and remediation steps clearly.
• Ability to prioritize competing tasks and respond calmly and effectively under pressure.
• Familiarity with ConnectWise Manage and ConnectWise Automate platforms preferred.
• Active cybersecurity certification is mandatory, such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CySA+, GSEC, CISM, or equivalent.

Travel Requirements:

Travel is not anticipated for this role.

Professional Development:

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, type, and use mouse; reach with hands and arms and talk and/or hear. The employee is required to sit for extended periods of time. The position may require lifting, pulling or moving items weighing upwards of 10 pounds as it relates to office or desk supplies.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones via WebEx, physical phone while in office, and photocopiers when necessary.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time without notice.

AAP/EEO Statement:

ManhattanLife prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. EOE Employer/Vet/Disabled. ManhattanLife values differences. We are committed to fostering an environment that attracts and retains a diverse workforce. With individuals from a variety of backgrounds, ManhattanLife will be better equipped to service our customers, increase innovation, and reduce risks. We encourage the unique perspectives of individuals and are dedicated to creating a respectful and inclusive work environment.