Job description

Overview The Cyber Defense Investigations team is Microsoft's deep-dive investigative arm within Cyber Defense Operations (CDO). We investigate complex security incidents across Microsoft's cloud, identity, and supply chain environments, conduct root cause analysis, assess attacker activity, and drive actionable remediation and detection improvements. As a Security Analyst II, you will lead investigations, craft quick detections, perform threat hunting, collaborate with engineering and response teams, and help improve Microsoft's ability to detect and respond to advanced threats. Join Microsoft's CDI Escalations team and work at the forefront of cyber defense, investigating the most complex nation-state, supply chain, cloud, and identity-based attacks targeting Microsoft. Our team goes beyond traditional incident response, we combine deep investigations, threat hunting, intelligence operationalization, and cross-organizational collaboration to identify adversaries, drive platform-wide security improvements, and build defenses that prevent future attacks. You'll partner with leaders across MSTIC, GHOST, Detection Engineering, and service teams, leverage AI-powered investigation techniques, and directly influence Microsoft's security posture while solving some of the industry's hardest security challenges. Starting February, 2026, Microsoft employees are expected to work from a designated Microsoft office at least three days a week if they live within 50 miles (U.S.) or 25 miles (non-U.S., country-specific) of that location. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day. Responsibilities • Investigate complex security incidents involving cloud, identity, endpoint, and supply chain compromises. • Ability to author detection at rapid speed. • Conduct root cause analysis, impact assessment, and scope determination. • Perform proactive threat hunting using Kusto (KQL), Defender, Entra ID, Azure, and other Microsoft telemetry sources. • Partner with Detection Engineering, MSTIC, Service Teams, and Incident Response teams to contain and remediate threats. • Develop investigative queries, hunting content, playbooks, and automation to improve operational efficiency. • Translate investigation findings into actionable security improvements, detections, and process enhancements. • Produce clear technical and executive-ready investigation reports. • Mentor peers and contribute to investigative best practices and knowledge sharing. Qualifications Required Qualifications: • Master's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field AND 1+ year(s) experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat modeling, cyber security, anomaly detection, Security Operations Center (SOC) detection, threat analytics, security incident and event management (SIEM), information technology (IT), or operations incident response • OR Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field AND 2+ years experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, threat modeling, cyber security, anomaly detection, Security Operations Center (SOC) detection, threat analytics, security incident and event management (SIEM), information technology (IT), or operations incident response • OR equivalent experience. Other Requirements: Candidates must be able to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: • Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. Preferred Qualifications: • Experience with Sentinel or other detection authoring tools, • Experience investigating security incidents in cloud or enterprise environments. • Experience using KQL/Kusto, SQL, or similar query languages for log analysis. • Understanding of attacker techniques, cloud security, identity security, and the MITRE ATT&CK framework. • Strong analytical and communication skills. • Experience with Microsoft security platforms, including Defender XDR, Sentinel, Entra ID, and Azure security telemetry. • Experience investigating identity-based attacks, credential theft, OAuth abuse, or cloud compromise scenarios. • Experience with supply chain security investigations involving GitHub, npm, or software package ecosystems. • Familiarity with AI-assisted investigation workflows and security automation. • Security certifications such as GCIH, GCFA, CISSP, GCFE, OSCP, or equivalent. #CISOOrg Security Operations Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 - $202,200 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $133,800 - $219,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: careers.microsoft.com This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

Requirements

Must-haves

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.
Investigate complex security incidents involving cloud, identity, endpoint, and supply chain compromises.
Ability to author detection at rapid speed.
Conduct root cause analysis, impact assessment, and scope determination.
Perform proactive threat hunting using Kusto (KQL), Defender, Entra ID, Azure, and other Microsoft telemetry sources.
Partner with Detection Engineering, MSTIC, Service Teams, and Incident Response teams to contain and remediate threats.
Develop investigative queries, hunting content, playbooks, and automation to improve operational efficiency.
Translate investigation findings into actionable security improvements, detections, and process enhancements.
Produce clear technical and executive-ready investigation reports.
Mentor peers and contribute to investigative best practices and knowledge sharing.
Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Nice-to-haves

Experience with Sentinel or other detection authoring tools,
Experience investigating security incidents in cloud or enterprise environments.
Experience using KQL/Kusto, SQL, or similar query languages for log analysis.
Understanding of attacker techniques, cloud security, identity security, and the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
Strong analytical and communication skills.
Experience with Microsoft security platforms, including Defender XDR, Sentinel, Entra ID, and Azure security telemetry.
Experience investigating identity-based attacks, credential theft, OAuth abuse, or cloud compromise scenarios.
Experience with supply chain security investigations involving GitHub, npm, or software package ecosystems.
Familiarity with AI-assisted investigation workflows and security automation.
Security certifications such as GCIH, GCFA, CISSP, GCFE, OSCP, or equivalent.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

Application prep

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