Firewall // Network Security Architect

Title: Firewall Architect

Req #: 755483

Location: 1898 Nick Nuccio Parkway, Tampa, FL 33619

Duration: 12 Months

**MUST BE ONSITE**

Qualifications:

1. Education:

o Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.

o Equivalent work experience of 10 years in lieu of a degree.

1. Certifications (Preferred/Required):

o Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

o Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)

o Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)

o Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE)

o Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) certifications

1. Experience:

o 7 years of experience in network security, firewall architecture, and design.

o Hands-on experience with enterprise firewall technologies such as Palo Alto Networks, Cisco Firepower, Check Point, Fortinet, or similar.

o Knowledge of network protocols, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP).

o Experience with firewall rule management and optimization.

o Familiarity with SD-WAN, VPNs, and cloud-based firewall solutions (e.g., Azure Firewall, AWS Security Groups).

1. Technical Skills:

o Proficient in designing, implementing, and managing firewalls in complex environments.

o Deep understanding of firewall rule lifecycle management, segmentation, and policy enforcement.

o Knowledge of intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) and threat intelligence.

o Scripting and automation experience using Python, Ansible, or similar tools.

o Understanding of compliance standards (e.g., PCI DSS, NERC CIP, ISO 27001).

1. Soft Skills:

o Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

o Excellent communication and documentation abilities.

o Team collaboration and leadership skills for cross-functional projects.

Job Duties:

1. Design and Architecture:

• Develop and maintain firewall architecture standards for on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.
• Design secure network segmentation strategies to minimize risk and limit attack surfaces.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to create tailored firewall solutions aligned with business objectives.

1. Implementation and Management:

• Oversee the deployment, configuration, and maintenance of enterprise firewalls.
• Manage firewall policies, ensuring they are optimized for security and performance.
• Implement and monitor access control rules to enforce least privilege principles.

1. Security and Risk Management:

• Conduct firewall audits to ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze network traffic and identify potential vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.
• Implement intrusion prevention systems and other measures to protect against threats.

1. Troubleshooting and Support:

• Investigate and resolve firewall-related issues, providing advanced support to operations teams.
• Monitor performance metrics and optimize firewallconfigurations as needed.
• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for firewall technologies during incident response.

1. Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain detailed documentation of firewallconfigurations, rule sets, and changes.
• Generate reports on firewall health, performance, and security incidents for stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance and training to IT teams and end-users.

1. Innovation and Continuous Improvement:

• Stay current with emerging firewall technologies and threat landscapes.
• Evaluate and recommend new tools or solutions to enhance the organization s network security posture.
• Develop and implement automation for routine firewall management tasks.

1. Collaboration:

• Partner with network, security, and application teams to align firewall solutions with broader IT strategies.
• Work with compliance teams to ensure adherence to standards and regulations.
• Act as a technical advisor for cross-functional projects involving network security.

Key Outcomes:

• Secure and optimized firewall infrastructure.
• Proactive identification and mitigation of threats.
• Compliance with regulatory and industry standards.
• Efficient rule management and reduced operational overhead through automation.