AN-EXP-001 Exploitation Analyst

Performs highly-specialized review and evaluation of incoming cybersecurity information to determine its usefulness for intelligence.

Analyzes collected information to identify vulnerabilities and potential for exploitation.

Collaborates to identify access and collection gaps that can be satisfied through cyber collection and/or preparation activities. Leverages all authorized resources and analytic techniques to penetrate targeted networks.

Knowledges 48

Code Description Work Roles
K0001 Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies. 52
K0002 Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for assessing and mitigating risk). 52
K0003 Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity and privacy. 52
K0004 Knowledge of cybersecurity and privacy principles. 52
K0005 Knowledge of cyber threats and vulnerabilities. 52
K0006 Knowledge of specific operational impacts of cybersecurity lapses. 52
K0108 Knowledge of concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, wireless). 11
K0109 Knowledge of physical computer components and architectures, including the functions of various components and peripherals (e.g., CPUs, Network Interface Cards, data storage). 15
K0131 Knowledge of web mail collection, searching/analyzing techniques, tools, and cookies. 3
K0142 Knowledge of collection management processes, capabilities, and limitations. 4
K0143 Knowledge of front-end collection systems, including traffic collection, filtering, and selection. 3
K0177 Knowledge of cyber attack stages (e.g., reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration, gaining access, escalation of privileges, maintaining access, network exploitation, covering tracks). 12
K0224 Knowledge of system administration concepts for operating systems such as but not limited to Unix/Linux, IOS, Android, and Windows operating systems. 5
K0349 Knowledge of website types, administration, functions, and content management system (CMS). 8
K0351 Knowledge of applicable statutes, laws, regulations and policies governing cyber targeting and exploitation. 3
K0354 Knowledge of relevant reporting and dissemination procedures. 1
K0362 Knowledge of attack methods and techniques (DDoS, brute force, spoofing, etc.). 9
K0368 Knowledge of implants that enable cyber collection and/or preparation activities. 1
K0371 Knowledge of principles of the collection development processes (e.g., Dialed Number Recognition, Social Network Analysis). 1
K0376 Knowledge of internal and external customers and partner organizations, including information needs, objectives, structure, capabilities, etc. 1
K0379 Knowledge of client organizations, including information needs, objectives, structure, capabilities, etc. 7
K0388 Knowledge of collection searching/analyzing techniques and tools for chat/buddy list, emerging technologies, VOIP, Media Over IP, VPN, VSAT/wireless, web mail and cookies. 1
K0393 Knowledge of common networking devices and their configurations. 1
K0394 Knowledge of common reporting databases and tools. 1
K0397 Knowledge of security concepts in operating systems (e.g., Linux, Unix.) 1
K0417 Knowledge of data communications terminology (e.g., networking protocols, Ethernet, IP, encryption, optical devices, removable media). 10
K0418 Knowledge of data flow process for terminal or environment collection. 1
K0430 Knowledge of evasion strategies and techniques. 2
K0443 WITHDRAWN: Knowledge of how hubs, switches, routers work together in the design of a network. (See K0143) 1
K0444 Knowledge of how Internet applications work (SMTP email, web-based email, chat clients, VOIP). 11
K0447 Knowledge of how to collect, view, and identify essential information on targets of interest from metadata (e.g., email, http). 1
K0451 Knowledge of identification and reporting processes. 1
K0470 Knowledge of Internet and routing protocols. 1
K0471 Knowledge of Internet network addressing (IP addresses, classless inter-domain routing, TCP/UDP port numbering). 9
K0473 Knowledge of intrusion sets. 3
K0484 Knowledge of midpoint collection (process, objectives, organization, targets, etc.). 1
K0487 Knowledge of network security (e.g., encryption, firewalls, authentication, honey pots, perimeter protection). 4
K0489 Knowledge of network topology. 1
K0509 Knowledge of organizational and partner authorities, responsibilities, and contributions to achieving objectives. 1
K0510 Knowledge of organizational and partner policies, tools, capabilities, and procedures. 1
K0523 Knowledge of products and nomenclature of major vendors (e.g., security suites - Trend Micro, Symantec, McAfee, Outpost, and Panda) and how those products affect exploitation and reduce vulnerabilities. 1
K0529 Knowledge of scripting 1
K0535 Knowledge of strategies and tools for target research. 1
K0544 Knowledge of target intelligence gathering and operational preparation techniques and life cycles. 2
K0557 Knowledge of terminal or environmental collection (process, objectives, organization, targets, etc.). 1
K0559 Knowledge of the basic structure, architecture, and design of converged applications. 2
K0560 Knowledge of the basic structure, architecture, and design of modern communication networks. 10
K0608 Knowledge of Unix/Linux and Windows operating systems structures and internals (e.g., process management, directory structure, installed applications). 2

Skills 24

Code Description Work Roles
S0066 Skill in identifying gaps in technical capabilities. 2
S0184 Skill in analyzing traffic to identify network devices. 4
S0199 Skill in creating and extracting important information from packet captures. 1
S0200 Skill in creating collection requirements in support of data acquisition activities. 1
S0201 Skill in creating plans in support of remote operations. (i.e., hot/warm/cold/alternative sites, disaster recovery). 1
S0204 Skill in depicting source or collateral data on a network map. 1
S0207 Skill in determining the effect of various router and firewall configurations on traffic patterns and network performance in both LAN and WAN environments. 1
S0214 Skill in evaluating accesses for intelligence value. 1
S0223 Skill in generating operation plans in support of mission and target requirements. 1
S0236 Skill in identifying the devices that work at each level of protocol models. 3
S0237 Skill in identifying, locating, and tracking targets via geospatial analysis techniques 2
S0239 Skill in interpreting compiled and interpretive programming languages. 2
S0240 Skill in interpreting metadata and content as applied by collection systems. 2
S0245 Skill in navigating network visualization software. 1
S0247 Skill in performing data fusion from existing intelligence for enabling new and continued collection. 1
S0258 Skill in recognizing and interpreting malicious network activity in traffic. 1
S0260 Skill in recognizing midpoint opportunities and essential information. 1
S0264 Skill in recognizing technical information that may be used for leads to enable remote operations (data includes users, passwords, email addresses, IP ranges of the target, frequency in DNI behavior, mail servers, domain servers, SMTP header information). 1
S0269 Skill in researching vulnerabilities and exploits utilized in traffic. 1
S0279 Skill in target development in direct support of collection operations. 2
S0286 Skill in using databases to identify target-relevant information. 1
S0290 Skill in using non-attributable networks. 2
S0294 Skill in using trace route tools and interpreting the results as they apply to network analysis and reconstruction. 1
S0300 Skill in writing (and submitting) requirements to meet gaps in technical capabilities. 1

Abilities 9

Code Description Work Roles
A0013 Ability to communicate complex information, concepts, or ideas in a confident and well-organized manner through verbal, written, and/or visual means. 14
A0066 Ability to accurately and completely source all data used in intelligence, assessment and/or planning products. 12
A0074 Ability to collaborate effectively with others. 6
A0080 Ability to develop or recommend analytic approaches or solutions to problems and situations for which information is incomplete or for which no precedent exists. 6
A0084 Ability to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize large quantities of data (which may be fragmented and contradictory) into high quality, fused targeting/intelligence products. 7
A0086 Ability to expand network access by conducting target analysis and collection to identify targets of interest. 2
A0092 Ability to identify/describe target vulnerability. 2
A0093 Ability to identify/describe techniques/methods for conducting technical exploitation of the target. 2
A0104 Ability to select the appropriate implant to achieve operational goals. 2

Tasks 20

Code Description Work Roles
T0570 Apply and utilize authorized cyber capabilities to enable access to targeted networks. 1
T0572 Apply cyber collection, environment preparation and engagement expertise to enable new exploitation and/or continued collection operations, or in support of customer requirements. 1
T0574 Apply and obey applicable statutes, laws, regulations and policies. 1
T0591 Perform analysis for target infrastructure exploitation activities. 1
T0600 Collaborate with other internal and external partner organizations on target access and operational issues. 1
T0603 Communicate new developments, breakthroughs, challenges and lessons learned to leadership, and internal and external customers. 1
T0266 Perform penetration testing as required for new or updated applications. 2
T0028 Conduct and/or support authorized penetration testing on enterprise network assets. 2
T0608 Conduct analysis of physical and logical digital technologies (e.g., wireless, SCADA, telecom) to identify potential avenues of access. 1
T0614 Conduct independent in-depth target and technical analysis including target-specific information (e.g., cultural, organizational, political) that results in access. 1
T0641 Create comprehensive exploitation strategies that identify exploitable technical or operational vulnerabilities. 1
T0695 Examine intercept-related metadata and content with an understanding of targeting significance. 1
T0701 Collaborate with developers, conveying target and technical knowledge in tool requirements submissions, to enhance tool development. 1
T0720 Identify gaps in our understanding of target technology and developing innovative collection approaches. 1
T0727 Identify, locate, and track targets via geospatial analysis techniques. 1
T0736 Lead or enable exploitation operations in support of organization objectives and target requirements. 1
T0738 Maintain awareness of advancements in hardware and software technologies (e.g., attend training or conferences, reading) and their potential implications. 1
T0754 Monitor target networks to provide indications and warning of target communications changes or processing failures. 1
T0775 Produce network reconstructions. 1
T0777 Profile network or system administrators and their activities. 1