Network Security Administrator II - Palo Alto Firewall Specialist

Position Summary

Working within the Digital Hands’ Security Operations Center (SOC), the Network Security Administrator II, Firewall Specialist, is responsible for a broad range of firewall management tasks, including daily administration, advanced support for systems and applications, handling of Move/Add/Change/Delete requests, performing installations and upgrades, and serving as primary liaison for vendor support on behalf of the customer. This technical role requires a high level of hands‑on experience and a thorough understanding of computer, network, and application security in a fast‑paced services organization.

• Monitor, deploy changes, support, and handle day‑to‑day firewall rule deployments, and firewall hardware/software refresh activities.
• Analyze, recommend, and deploy firewall solutions based on analysis of issues and implications for the business and continuous improvements.
• Identify emerging issues and trends to inform decision‑making.
• Conduct independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues around firewall policies and hardware/software refresh.
• Participate in customer implementation/onboarding of related security controls monitoring and/or management.
• Monitor and track performance, and address any issues related to firewalls and rule policies.
• Provide end‑to‑end technology support including computer, applications, network and storage, and root‑cause analysis.
• Participate in new technology releases as applicable to firewall.
• Attend internal and customer meetings as required to provide technical expertise and serve as a subject‑matter expert on network firewall‑related matters.
• Analyze network security requirements and implement perimeter security changes.
• Collaborate with customers’ IT and security departments.
• Collaborate with vendor support for security solutions.
• Collaborate with internal departments.
• Maintain health and performance of security solutions.
• Apply latest security patches and ensure proper defenses are implemented.
• Optimize customer network and security postures.
• Perform security assessments and vulnerability scans.
• Create alerts within solutions to trigger operational events or actions.
• Create alerts within monitoring solutions to trigger health and performance alerts.
• Create monthly security reports for customers.
• Create and maintain dashboards for monitoring solutions.
• Participate in business continuity planning and testing.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) associated with managed systems and applications.
• Participate in on‑call rotation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of experience in Security Administration, preferably working within an MSSP.
• 5+ years hands‑on experience with Web Application Firewalls; F5 and Zscaler.
• 5+ years of hands‑on firewall experience, preferably with multiple firewall products such as Palo Alto, Fortinet, Check Point, Cisco, and Juniper.
• Must have proven experience implementing, maintaining and writing policies within firewall technologies.
• Extensive experience with policy management and rule deployment.
• Knowledge of firewall rule policy optimizations and remediations.
• Operating systems knowledge and systems administration skills for various versions of UNIX, LINUX, and Windows and Windows Server.
• Professional certifications such as CCSA, CCSE, CCNA, CCNP Security, PCNSA, PCNSE, NSE 4, NSE 5, Network+, Security+, are highly desired.
• Strong knowledge of policies, procedures, audits, and risk management.
• Deep understanding of network and security protocols (SSL, DNS, IPSEC, NAT, etc).
• Experience in information security, ideally in multi‑platform environments preferred.
• Experience with analyzing security attacks and exploits.
• Experience with SDN and SASE.
• Experience with SDWAN Technologies.
• Basic understanding of programming concepts and code.
• Access Control Concepts, Methodologies, and Techniques.
• Experience in the evaluation of new technology and security threats as they arise.
• Familiarity with information security best practices.
• Demonstrated documentation…