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IT (Cyberspace) · Work role code 452

Secure Configuration Specialist

Applies, verifies, and continuously monitors security configuration baselines for platforms, applications, and networked systems; advises system owners on secure configuration requirements, drafts secure baseline artifacts (e.g., STIG checklists, CIS Benchmarks), and integrates automated compliance tooling; collaborates with vulnerability management, DevSecOps, and Assessment & Authorization teams to ensure misconfiguration findings are identified, prioritized, and remediated across on prem and cloud environments.

From DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Tasks

From DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25), in the tool's order, with the DCWF KSAT id

Free · DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)
  • 425Assess the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures utilized by system(s).Core
  • 478Correlate incident data to identify specific vulnerabilities and make recommendations that enable expeditious remediation.Core
  • 481ACreate, edit, and manage network access control lists on specialized cyber defense systems (e.g., firewalls and intrusion prevention systems).Core
  • 496ADesign, develop, integrate, and update system security measures that provide confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, and non-repudiation.Core
  • 518Develop and document systems administration standard operating procedures.Core
  • 534Develop/integrate cybersecurity designs for systems and networks with multilevel security requirements or requirements for the processing of multiple classification levels of data primarily applicable to government organizations (e.g., UNCLASSIFIED, SECRET, and TOP SECRET).Core
  • 568Employ secure configuration management processes.Core
  • 593AAssess adequate access controls based on principles of least privilege and need-to-know.Core
  • 598Evaluate and approve development efforts to ensure that baseline security safeguards are appropriately installed.Core
  • 653AImplement security measures to resolve vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and recommend security changes to system or system components as needed.Core
  • 660Implement specific cybersecurity countermeasures for systems and/or applications.Core
  • 671Integrate automated capabilities for updating or patching system software where practical and develop processes and procedures for manual updating and patching of system software based on current and projected patch timeline requirements for the operational environment of the system.Additional
  • 683Maintain baseline system security according to organizational policies.Core
  • 765Perform security reviews, identify gaps in security architecture, and develop a security risk management plan.Core
  • 852Supervise or manage protective or corrective measures when a cybersecurity incident or vulnerability is discovered.Additional
  • 876Verify and update security documentation reflecting the application/system security design features.Core
  • 947Oversee policy standards and implementation strategies to ensure procedures and guidelines comply with cybersecurity policies.Additional
  • 961Employ approved defense-in-depth principles and practices (e.g., defense-in-multiple places, layered defenses, security robustness).Core
  • 1006Create auditable evidence of security measures.Core
  • 1154Perform configuration management, problem management, capacity management, and financial management for databases and data management systems.Additional
  • 2058Assist and advise interagency partners in identifying and developing best practices for facilitating operational support to achievement of organization objectives.Additional
  • 2379AIdentify threat vulnerabilities.Core
  • 2609Monitor the operational environment for potential factors and risks to the collection operation management process.Core
  • 2904Identify cyber threat tactics and methodologies.Core

Knowledge

From DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25), in the tool's order, with the DCWF KSAT id

Free · DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)
  • 8Knowledge of authentication, authorization, and access control methods.Core
  • 12Knowledge of communication methods, principles, and concepts (e.g., crypto, dual hubs, time multiplexers) that support the network infrastructure.Additional
  • 19Knowledge of cyber defense and vulnerability assessment tools, including open source tools, and their capabilities.Core
  • 21BKnowledge of computer algorithm capabilities and applications.Core
  • 22* Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies.Core
  • 25Knowledge of encryption algorithms (e.g., Internet Protocol Security [IPSEC], Advanced Encryption Standard [AES], Generic Routing Encapsulation [GRE], Internet Key Exchange [IKE], Message Digest Algorithm [MD5], Secure Hash Algorithm [SHA], Triple Data Encryption Standard [3DES]).Core
  • 27Knowledge of cryptography and cryptographic key management concepts.Core
  • 32Knowledge of database management systems, query languages, table relationships, and views.Additional
  • 38Knowledge of organization's enterprise information security architecture system.Additional
  • 43AKnowledge of embedded systems.Additional
  • 50Knowledge of how network services and protocols interact to provide network communications.Core
  • 60Knowledge of incident categories, incident responses, and timelines for responses.Core
  • 63Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and organizational requirements (relevant to confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, non-repudiation).Core
  • 66Knowledge of intrusion detection methodologies and techniques for detecting host and network-based intrusions via intrusion detection technologies.Core
  • 70Knowledge of information technology (IT) security principles and methods (e.g., firewalls, demilitarized zones, encryption).Core
  • 92Knowledge of how traffic flows across the network (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol [TCP] and Internet Protocol [IP], Open System Interconnection Model [OSI], Information Technology Infrastructure Library, current version [ITIL]).Core
  • 94Knowledge of parallel and distributed computing concepts.Additional
  • 98Knowledge of policy-based and risk adaptive access controls.Core
  • 98AKnowledge of policy-based access controls.Core
  • 99AKnowledge of principles and methods for integrating system components.Core
  • 105Knowledge of system and application security threats and vulnerabilities (e.g., buffer overflow, mobile code, cross-site scripting, Procedural Language/Structured Query Language [PL/SQL] and injections, race conditions, covert channel, replay, return-oriented attacks, malicious code).Core
  • 108* Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for assessing and mitigating risk).Core
  • 110Knowledge of key concepts in security management (e.g., Release Management, Patch Management).Core
  • 113Knowledge of server and client operating systems.Core
  • 130BKnowledge of systems testing and evaluation tools and techniques.Core
  • 141BKnowledge of enterprise information technology (IT) architecture principles and practices.Core
  • 148Knowledge of Virtual Private Network (VPN) security.Core
  • 177BKnowledge of countermeasures for identified security risks.Core
  • 271Knowledge of common network tools (e.g., ping, traceroute, nslookup).Core
  • 287Knowledge of file system implementations (e.g., New Technology File System [NTFS], File Allocation Table [FAT], Extended File System [EXT]).Core
  • 302Knowledge of investigative implications of hardware, Operating Systems, and network technologies.Core
  • 342AKnowledge of operating system command line/prompt.Core
  • 986Knowledge of organizational information technology (IT) user security policies (e.g., account creation, password rules, access control).Core
  • 990Knowledge of the common attack vectors on the network layer.Core
  • 991Knowledge of different classes of attacks (e.g., passive, active, insider, close-in, distribution).Core
  • 1033Knowledge of basic system administration, network, and operating system hardening techniques.Core
  • 1034AKnowledge of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) data security standards.Core
  • 1034BKnowledge of Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standards.Additional
  • 1034CKnowledge of Personal Health Information (PHI) data security standards.Additional
  • 1036Knowledge of applicable laws (e.g., Electronic Communications Privacy Act, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Protect America Act, search and seizure laws, civil liberties and privacy laws), statutes (e.g., in Titles 10, 18, 32, 50 in U.S. Code), Presidential Directives, executive branch guidelines, and/or administrative/criminal legal guidelines and procedures relevant to work performed.Additional
  • 1038AKnowledge of infrastructure supporting information technology (IT) for safety, performance, and reliability.Core
  • 1072Knowledge of network security architecture concepts including topology, protocols, components, and principles (e.g., application of defense-in-depth, Zero Trust).Core
  • 1073Knowledge of network systems management principles, models, methods (e.g., end-to-end systems performance monitoring), and tools.Core
  • 1123AKnowledge of current and emerging data encryption (e.g., Column and Tablespace Encryption, file and disk encryption) security features in databases, including built-in cryptographic key management features.Additional
  • 1141AKnowledge of an organization's information classification program and procedures for information compromise.Additional
  • 1157* Knowledge of national and international laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity.Core
  • 1158* Knowledge of cybersecurity principles.Core
  • 1159* Knowledge of cyber threats and vulnerabilities.Core
  • 3205Knowledge of current computer-based intrusion sets.Core
  • 3215Knowledge of cyber actions (i.e., cyber defense, information gathering, environment preparation, cyber attack) principles, capabilities, limitations, and effects.Core
  • 3539AKnowledge of telecommunications principles and practices.Additional
  • 4388AKnowledge of access control models and frameworks.Core
  • 4711AKnowledge of web application security risks.Core
  • 6900* Knowledge of specific operational impacts of cybersecurity lapses.Core
  • 6935* Knowledge of cloud computing service models Software as Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).Core
  • 6938* Knowledge of cloud computing deployment models in private, public, and hybrid environment and the difference between on-premises and off-premises environments.Core
  • 7111* Knowledge of Zero Trust Security Model Principles.Core
  • 7112Knowledge of privacy principles and practices.Core
  • 7113Knowledge of vulnerability data sources.Core
  • 7114Knowledge of identity and access management (IAM) principles and practices.Core
  • 7115Knowledge of network configurations.Core
  • 7116Knowledge of digital communication systems and software.Core
  • 7117Knowledge of hardening tools and techniques.Core
  • 7118Knowledge of industry cybersecurity models and frameworks.Core
  • 7119Knowledge of automated security control testing tools and techniques.Core
  • 7120Knowledge of data asset management principles and practices.Additional

Skills

From DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25), in the tool's order, with the DCWF KSAT id

Free · DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)
  • 157Skill in applying host/network access controls (e.g., access control list).Core
  • 179BSkill in establishing data security controls.Core
  • 205Skill in implementing, maintaining, and improving established network security practices.Core
  • 891ASkill in configuring and utilizing computer protection components (e.g., hardware firewalls, servers, routers, as appropriate).Core
  • 892Skill in configuring and utilizing software-based computer protection tools (e.g., software firewalls, anti-virus software, anti-spyware).Core
  • 896Skill in protecting a network against malware.Core
  • 985Skill in configuring and utilizing network protection components (e.g., Firewalls, VPNs, network intrusion detection systems).Core
  • 6670Skill in system, network, and OS hardening techniques.Core
  • 6949Skill to use critical thinking to analyze organizational patterns and relationships.Core

Abilities

From DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25), in the tool's order, with the DCWF KSAT id

Free · DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)
  • 124AAbility to apply system design tools, methods, and techniques, including automated systems analysis and design tools.Core
  • 347AAbility to execute OS command line (e.g., ipconfig, netstat, dir, nbtstat).Core
  • 3021Ability to collaborate effectively with others.Core
  • 3030Ability to conduct vulnerability scans and recognize vulnerabilities in security systems.Core

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

O*NET jobs

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Jobs the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024) maps to this role’s NICE equivalents, with the share of each job’s detailed work activities (DWAs) that has a mapped AI skill.

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    Equivalents

    NICE work roles

    From DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25), linked from published ids only, never from titles

    Free · DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

    No published NICE equivalent.

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    Through its NICE equivalents, by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); jobs from O*NET 30.3

    Free · O*NET 30.3

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