Cloud Security Analyst – GCP | Contract-to-Hire | Philadelphia PA 19103

Job Title

Cloud Security Analyst – GCP

Location

Philadelphia, PA 19103 [Hybrid | onsite 3 days/week on Tues, Wed, Thurs]

Contract-to-Hire [Will convert to full-time after 3 months of contract]

Pay rate

$68/HR-$70/HR on W2

We are seeking a passionate, adaptable Information Security Analyst who will serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for business areas and technical teams, and act as the customer interface for the Information Security Operations function. You will strengthen our security posture by evaluating, testing, documenting, and operationalizing security solutions and controls across on premises and cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP)—while enabling the business to innovate securely.

Continuous learning is a requirement to stay ahead of adversaries. This includes tracking modern attack techniques, and applying rigor to protect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of valued information assets. Expect close collaboration with audit/exam teams, technology management, and business stakeholders, plus meaningful contributions to incident preparedness and response.

Key Responsibilities

Cloud & Enterprise Security (SME)

• Serve as SME on security fundamentals, techniques, and technologies across Azure, AWS, GCP, and on prem environments.

Guide cloud security architecture

IAM, encryption/key management, network controls, data protection, workload hardening.

• Implement process improvements aligned to security frameworks (NIST CSF/800 53, ISO 27001) and business needs; optimize technology to improve customer experience.

Security Operations & Incident Response

• Implement and monitor controls for unusual and suspicious activity across endpoints, networks, and cloud platforms.
• Perform advanced monitoring, data/log analysis, threat hunting, and forensic investigations; contribute to SOC/IR workflows.
• Plan, contribute to, and participate in incident plan exercises and tabletop scenarios.

Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)

• Draft or revise local policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures to supplement enterprise frameworks; identify and remediate gaps based upon NIST standards.
• Interface with internal/external auditors and examiners; maintain vendor management standards, questionnaires, and regulatory documentation (HITRUST, PCI, NIST, HIPAA, SOC2).
• Review contracts and provide security guidance; support project scoping, costing, and cost–benefit analyses.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Act as a liaison for the security team; clearly communicate business risk as it relates to information security.
• Create technical documentation (reports, white papers, technical notes, implementation/configuration guides).
• Use visual aids to convey complex topics to large, diverse audiences; communicate clearly in high pressure, high visibility situations.

Continuous Improvement

• Recommend new security solutions and improvements that do not impede innovation.
• Stay current with the evolving threat landscape; consistently learn and grow to remain a step ahead of attackers.

Technical Expertise

Cloud Security (Azure, AWS, GCP)

Azure

Defender for Cloud, Microsoft Sentinel, Entra ID (Azure AD), Conditional Access, Key Vault, NSGs/Azure Firewall, storage encryption, Defender for Endpoint integration.

AWS

IAM roles/policies, Security Hub, GuardDuty, KMS, CloudTrail/CloudWatch, VPC security controls, AWS WAF, Secrets Manager.

GCP

IAM, Security Command Center, Cloud Audit Logs, VPC Service Controls, CMEK/KMS, Cloud Armor, Workload Identity; container security (GKE).

Additional Technologies

Operating Systems

Linux, Windows Server, Windows Desktop; hardening, patching, CIS Benchmarks.

Forensics & eDiscovery

Symantec, Purview, Proofpoint; email/file discovery; incident response.

Network & Perimeter

Palo Alto firewalls, URL filtering, DNS blackhole/geo filtering, WildFire; F5 AWAF.

SIEM & Logging

MS Sentinel, MDE, Elastic; Endpoint management/log forwarding. Microsoft Data Lake, CRIBL

Vulnerability & AppSec

Qualys, NexusIQ; OWASP aligned testing and remediation.

Endpoint

Microsoft Defender, Microsoft ATP/Defender for Endpoint.

Identity & MFA

Okta, Microsoft (Entra ID MFA).

Core Services

DNS zone management; network micro segmentation; zero trust aligned controls.

Secure Productivity

Securing Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online, SharePoint/OneDrive, Teams, Purview).

Qualifications

Required

• 5–8 years of relevant information security experience (or 3–5 years in IT systems administration with strong security responsibilities).
• Expertise in incident response, system monitoring/analysis, and risk assessments aligned with compliance and privacy laws.

Knowledge with compliance requirements

HITRUST, PCI, NIST, HIPAA, SOC2.

Knowledge across multiple platforms

Windows, Linux/Unix, macOS; networks and endpoints.

• Experience with vulnerability assessment and penetration testing engagements.
• Experience with change management and project management.
• Excellent technical writing and presentation skills; ability to translate technical risk to business impact.

Preferred

CCSP preferred; other certs

AZ 500, AWS Security Specialty, GCP Professional Cloud Security Engineer.

• Experience securing Azure, AWS, GCP in enterprise/hybrid environments.
• Familiarity with NIST CSF, ISO 27001, CIS Benchmarks, MITRE ATT&CK.

Please apply with your interest. You may also reach out to me at

abaranwal@alphambe.com

Thank you,

Ashu

We provide a comprehensive package which includes.

Benefits

• Medical for full time employees
• Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, etc.