Information Security Specialist Jobs in Washington, DC
Information Security Specialist jobs in Washington, District of Columbia are in strong demand, concentrated in the Capitol Hill corridor, Foggy Bottom, and the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor across federal contracting, defense, and financial services. Employers hiring right now include tharros, MANTECH, and Peraton. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Tharros is seeking a Senior Information Systems Security Officer to support a DHS Intelligence and Analysis cybersecurity program in the National Capital Region.
This role will support ISSO operations across a complex Federal cybersecurity environment, including Assessment and Authorization, continuous monitoring, ATO package maintenance, POA&M management, security artifact quality, cloud and hybrid system support, and cybersecurity compliance. The ideal candidate is a hands-on ISSO who can maintain accurate authorization evidence, coordinate with technical teams, and help keep mission systems secure, compliant, and authorization-ready.
Responsibilities:
- Perform ISSO duties for assigned Federal information systems.
- Support RMF activities, including system categorization, control implementation support, assessment readiness, authorization package maintenance, and ongoing monitoring.
- Develop, review, validate, and maintain security artifacts such as SSPs, POA&Ms, risk exceptions, contingency plans, privileged user documentation, and privacy-related artifacts.
- Create, maintain, and monitor ATO packages in GRC tools.
- Support POA&M development, validation, remediation tracking, exception documentation, closure, and reporting.
- Collaborate with system owners, ISSOs, ISSMs, developers, engineers, assessors, and other stakeholders to address vulnerabilities, security findings, and remediation actions.
- Review vulnerability scan results and support recurring continuous monitoring activities.
- Support audit log review, alert response, and documentation of follow-up actions.
- Ensure assigned systems remain aligned with applicable cybersecurity policies, procedures, and decommissioning requirements.
- Support quarterly cybersecurity performance and compliance reporting.
- Provide ISSO support across hybrid environments, including classified and unclassified on-premise systems, cloud-based systems, DevSecOps environments, and agile development teams.
- Support security for operating systems and technologies including Linux, Windows, open-source operating systems, and cloud platforms.
- Support Cross Domain Solution security governance, assessment, and authorization activities.
- Help improve ISSO workflows, evidence management, POA&M tracking, continuous monitoring, and risk reporting through automation and repeatable processes.
- Translate compliance status, vulnerability data, and remediation progress into clear updates for technical and leadership stakeholders.
Requirements:
- Active Top Secret clearance with contingency on DOD CAS granting SCI eligibility.
- 10+ years of related cybersecurity experience.
- At least 2 years of recent experience in A&A, FISMA compliance, IC cybersecurity policy and standards, continuous monitoring, CDS, and secure cloud and hybrid engineering.
- Experience applying NIST 800 series, CNSSI 1253, security controls, and RMF principles.
- Experience with emerging security risk management practices, including automation of A&A and continuous monitoring activities.
- CISM, CAP, or GRC certification, or comparable demonstrable experience.
- Experience developing, reviewing, or maintaining SSPs, POA&Ms, risk exceptions, contingency plans, privileged user documentation, ATO packages, and continuous monitoring evidence.
- Experience working with GRC tools and coordinating with technical teams to remediate vulnerabilities and maintain authorization readiness.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work onsite at a Government-approved location as required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior DHS, Intelligence Community, DoD, CISO office, ISSM, AO, SCA, or national security ISSO experience.
- Experience supporting large ISSO portfolios, classified systems, hybrid cloud environments, DevSecOps evidence collection, continuous monitoring, and audit readiness.
- Experience with Archer, eMASS, Xacta, ACAS, Tenable.sc, Splunk, GitLab, Axonius, STIG/SCAP validation, or related Federal cybersecurity tools.
- Experience with AWS, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, or other cloud platforms.
- Experience supporting TS/SCI, SCIF, cross-domain, or secure mission environments.
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Information Security Specialist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a information security specialist job in Washington?
The strongest path into Washington's information security specialist market runs through federal contracting and defense agencies, which dominate hiring across Capitol Hill, Foggy Bottom, and the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor in nearby Arlington. Candidates with active security clearances move to the front of the line with most Washington-area employers. Familiarity with FISMA compliance frameworks and federal risk management standards gives applicants a concrete edge over generalist candidates in this market.
Which companies hire information security specialists in Washington?
Companies currently hiring information security specialists in Washington include tharros, MANTECH, and Peraton, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's hiring mix is heavily weighted toward federal contractors, defense primes, and financial regulators, alongside a growing cluster of cybersecurity-focused consultancies serving the government and private sectors.
Are there remote information security specialist jobs in Washington?
Yes, though partially, since information security specialist roles tied to federal systems often require on-site presence or cleared facilities access. About 43% of information security specialist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with fully remote work most common in policy, compliance analysis, and security architecture roles rather than hands-on network or systems positions.
How can I get a information security specialist job in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Washington is through junior analyst or IT support roles at federal contractors or mid-size consulting firms, many of which sponsor clearance sponsorship pipelines for candidates willing to pursue a public trust or secret clearance. Internship programs tied to federal agencies and DoD-adjacent contractors in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor regularly convert to full-time positions. Earning a CompTIA Security+ certification before applying meaningfully improves your standing with Washington's contractor-heavy employer base.
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