Specialist Cybersecurity Risk & Compliance Analyst

Southern Company•Atlanta, GA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Southern Company’s Cybersecurity organization is committed to reducing risk using a threat-informed approach, enhancing the cyber resilience of Southern Company while delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy to the communities we serve. Position Overview: Southern Company, a major U.S. energy firm, is seeking a cybersecurity professional to reduce risk as part of the Cybersecurity Assurance Team. This hybrid role reports directly to the Company’s Senior Manager for Cybersecurity Assurance. This position is an analyst role responsible for assessing cyber security risk across multiple business units, managing compliance programs linked to applicable Federal cyber security directives/regulations, managing third party penetration testers, and engaging externally with key industry partners/organizations both as advocate and educator. The analyst will combine solid business knowledge, strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, and close familiarity with Federal requirements to reduce cybersecurity and business risk over time. Up to 20% travel may be required. In-office presence four days a week is expected either in Atlanta or Birmingham.

Requirements

CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) certification
8+ years of experience in infrastructure or network engineering, security operations, security risk analysis, cybersecurity governance, or security architecture
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent applicable experience
One or more of the following certifications: CISSP, CCSP, CISM, CASP, GCIP, GCCC
Familiarity with: NARA CUI registry, FAR 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems NIST SP 800-171 Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations DOD Manual 5200.01 Volumes 1-3
Must pass both Insider Threat Program background checks and North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Personnel Risk Assessment
Demonstrated ability to manage a program/process/project across multiple teams in multiple disciplines
Demonstrated critical, independent thinking; demonstrated ability to conceive and present creative solutions
Knowledge and understanding of information security concepts and best practices
Working, hands-on familiarity with federal cyber security requirements and environments
Demonstrated experience in working with senior stakeholders across various lines of business

Nice To Haves

Able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance
Prior experience desired promoting security as a business enablement function using documentation, metrics, and strong verbal communication
Strong technical consulting experience: ability to understand business requirements and present appropriate solutions to a non-technical audience
Energy industry experience
CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA) certification
Working familiarity with information security frameworks (e.g. COBIT, NIST, OWASP, NIST CSF, CIS, MITRE ATT&CK)

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead in performing and coordination of cyber security assessments throughout the company.
Department of War (DoW) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
Department of Homeland Security Safety Act
NIST Cyber Security Framework
DoW Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204.7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting and DFARS 252.204.7021 contractor compliance with the cybersecurity maturity model certification level requirements (Nov 2025)
Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Culture of Security
Adversarial assessments (penetration tests)
Perform analysis of assessment findings
Perform or coordinate related remediation by technology stewards and/or recommend investments to address identified cybersecurity gaps/risk
Manage CUI compliance program with and all required reporting for DFARS 252.204‑7021, Contractor Compliance with the CMMC Level Requirements
Consult/collaborate with inside and external Counsel regarding CUI requirements
Respond to requests from prime contracting officers on matters relating to CUI scope
Manage External Enclave used for sharing Controlled Unclassified Information with business and Federal partners, including the enforcement of all required configuration(s), compliance attestations, reporting, and licensing
Perform Department of War Cyber Incident Reporting as required
Serve as the Cyber Liaison for the Company’s Federal Energy Services group
Keep senior leadership apprised of pending state regulations pertaining to cybersecurity and impacting utilities; provide Southern Company response to proposed state legislation
Provide briefings to senior leadership and external stakeholders in a way that links technical and business risk to drive prioritization of effort and investment decisions
External Engagement/executive support (NOTE: Requires face to face meetings and travel, up to 20%)
Interact with external organizations such as state Public Service Commissions, State representatives, other utilities, trade organizations, and federal partners in representing Southern Company’s cyber security practice.
Represent Southern Company by presenting or speaking at various federal conferences
Influence the utility industry’s creation, adoption and implementation of information security practices by participating in industry forums, events, and committees
Participate in the EEI Peer Review process
Lead cross-functional efforts for monitoring and maintaining compliance of security controls associated with Federal projects
Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key business stakeholders; collaborate closely with solution owners from the business and Technology Organization, seeking to understand business imperatives while educating them as needed regarding relevant requirements and controls
Support cross-functional teams to investigate, analyze, and make recommendations to leadership on current cybersecurity strategy
Provide internal cybersecurity expertise by defining and influencing appropriate policies, technologies, processes and controls to reduce risk
Maintain current knowledge of information security concepts, technologies, and adversary tactics