I O Engineering Consultant

Requisition Number: 2348780
Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Firewall Administration: Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Palo Alto Firewalls to secure our organization's network
• Security Policies: Develop and enforce network security policies, including NAT, VPN, IPS/IDS, and access control policies
• Threat Prevention: Deploy and maintain features like anti-virus, anti-spyware, and vulnerability protection on Palo Alto firewalls
• Monitoring and Reporting: Continuously monitor firewall traffic and logs, generating reports to identify potential security threats or areas for improvement
• Network Security Solutions: Recommend and implement enhancements to improve overall network security posture
• Incident Response: Respond to and resolve network security incidents in a timely manner
• Collaboration: Work with other IT teams to integrate firewall solutions with existing network infrastructure
• Documentation: Maintain accurate documentation of firewall configurations, policies, and security incidents
• Configure, deploy, and manage Palo-Alto and Cisco ASA firewalls to secure the organization's network infrastructure. This involves setting up firewall rules, access control lists, and VPN tunnels, as well as performing regular firewall maintenance tasks
• Monitor network traffic and security events using network security monitoring tools and platforms. Analyze logs and alerts generated by firewalls and other security devices to identify and respond to potential security incidents
• Conduct periodic reviews of firewall rules and policies to ensure they align with the organization's security requirements and industry best practices. Remove unnecessary or outdated rules and update configurations as needed
• Deploy and manage intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to detect and prevent network-based attacks. Configure and fine-tune these systems to identify and block malicious activities
• Perform regular vulnerability assessments and scans on the network infrastructure to identify potential security weaknesses. Coordinate with system administrators and other stakeholders to remediate vulnerabilities and ensure a secure network environment
• Respond to security incidents promptly, investigating and containing the threats. Collaborate with other teams to mitigate the impact of security incidents, restore services, and implement preventive measures to minimize future incidents
• Develop and enforce network security policies and procedures in line with industry standards and regulations. Ensure compliance with relevant security frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, and PCI DSS
• Participate in security audits and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of network security controls. Implement necessary changes and improvements to maintain compliance and security
• Maintain accurate documentation of network security configurations, incidents, and procedures. Generate regular reports on network security metrics, vulnerabilities, incidents, and compliance status for management and stakeholders
• Keep up to date with the latest network security threats, vulnerabilities, and industry best practices. Continuously enhance technical knowledge and skills through training, certifications, and participation in security communities and forums
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including system administrators, network engineers, and IT management, to ensure a holistic approach to network security. Communicate effectively to stakeholders about network security risks, incidents, and mitigation strategies
• Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regards to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so

Required Qualifications:

• Any bachelor's degree with 7+ years of experience
• 5+ years of experience working with Palo Alto Firewalls
• Experience with network monitoring and logging tools
• Solid knowledge and experience in configuring and managing Palo-Alto and Cisco ASA firewalls
• Familiarity with network security protocols, technologies, and best practices
• Deep understanding of network security protocols and technologies (SSL, IPSec, VPN, IDS/IPS, NAT)
• Solid knowledge of firewall management platforms and Panorama (Palo Alto's centralized management system)
• Familiarity with LAN/WAN infrastructure, including switches, routers, and network topology
• Proficiency in network security tools, such as IDS/IPS, vulnerability scanners, and network monitoring systems
• Proven solid communication and collaboration skills
• Proven solid analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proven excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications like Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) are preferred
• Relevant certifications such as Palo-Alto Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security are a plus

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.