Graduate Assistant 12 Month

Position #: GRA
908

Department: Information and Technology Services

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The primary purpose of a graduate assistantship is to promote the student’s successful completion of an academic program while giving them experience working in an academic environment. Graduate assistantships support the University’s teaching, research and service missions for the benefit of students in areas closely related to their chosen field of study. This graduate assistantship works within the University’s student‑led security operations center (SOC) to enhance the institution’s security monitoring, incident response, and security awareness capabilities.

The SOC is designed to develop a skilled cybersecurity workforce, support institutional security objectives, and provide real‑world operational experience using enterprise‑grade security tools.

• Creation and management of security related tickets.
• Monitoring endpoint vulnerabilities and recommending remediation timelines in alignment with IT Security procedures.
• Auditing endpoint configuration compliance with institutional baselines and suggesting remediation tasks.
• Monitoring endpoint detections and reviewing historical detections to ensure gaps are addressed.
• Remediation of email‑based security incidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned related to SOC initiatives.

• Creation and management of security documentation such as procedures and standards.
• Monitor and reply to user incident reports via email (Phishing, account takeover, etc.).
• Attend and contribute to security meetings.
• Attend and contribute to on‑site training sessions.

• Conduct applied cybersecurity research projects focused on emerging technologies, threat detection methodologies, security operations, and enterprise security platforms.
• Participate in semester‑long research initiatives that evaluate cybersecurity tools, controls, and defensive technologies, including testing, assessment, and documentation of findings and recommendations.
• Research emerging cyber threats, attack techniques, vulnerabilities, and security trends to develop evidence‑based recommendations for improving institutional cybersecurity posture.
• Perform literature reviews, environmental scans, and comparative analyses of cybersecurity frameworks, standards, and best practices, including frameworks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST).
• Assist in the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of campus cybersecurity policies, procedures, governance frameworks, and security awareness initiatives.
• Conduct research and analysis supporting cybersecurity‑related grant opportunities, workforce development initiatives, and externally funded projects.
• Prepare research reports, technical briefs, presentations, and recommendations for cybersecurity leadership and university stakeholders.
• Collaborate with faculty, cybersecurity professionals, and industry partners on applied research activities that contribute to institutional cybersecurity resilience and student workforce development.

Student analysts are provided with the unique opportunity to help shape the direction of the student‑led SOC for the following semester. Within this program, student input and feedback are core components of what makes this SOC student led. Over the course of the semester, GA recommendations build the following semester’s program structure.

• Strong computer skills and good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to follow instructions and complete assigned tasks and adhere to assigned work schedule.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a group setting.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information responsibly.

Graduate Assistants are expected to work an average of 20 hours a week. Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on graduate work to be eligible for a Graduate Assistant…