Mission Assessment Specialist

Work Role ID: 112  |  Workforce Element: Cyberspace Effects

What does this role do? Develops assessment plans and measures of performance/effectiveness. Conducts strategic and operational effectiveness assessments as required for cyber events. Determines whether systems performed as expected and provides input to the determination of operational effectiveness.

CORE KSATs
KSAT ID Description KSAT
22 * Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies. Knowledge
52 Knowledge of human-computer interaction principles. Knowledge
87 Knowledge of network traffic analysis methods. Knowledge
108 * Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for assessing and mitigating risk). Knowledge
264 Knowledge of basic physical computer components and architectures, including the functions of various components and peripherals (e.g., CPUs, Network Interface Cards, data storage). Knowledge
1157 * Knowledge of national and international laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity. Knowledge
1158 * Knowledge of cybersecurity principles. Knowledge
1159 * Knowledge of cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Knowledge
2063 Assist in the coordination, validation, and management of all-source collection requirements, plans, and/or activities. Task
2108 Conduct end-of-operations assessments. Task
2115 Conduct in-depth research and analysis. Task
2121 Conduct nodal analysis. Task
2134 Conduct target research and analysis. Task
2289 Develop measures of effectiveness and measures of performance. Task
2378 Estimate operational effects generated through cyber activities. Task
2379A Identify threat vulnerabilities. Task
2429 Generate requests for information. Task
2593 Monitor and report changes in threat dispositions, activities, tactics, capabilities, objectives, etc. as related to designated cyber operations warning problem sets. Task
2594 Monitor and report on validated threat activities. Task
2603 Monitor operational environment and report on adversarial activities which fulfill leadership’s priority information requirements. Task
2730 Provide analyses and support for effectiveness assessment. Task
2745 Provide information and assessments for the purposes of informing leadership and customers; developing and refining objectives; supporting operation planning and execution; and assessing the effects of operations. Task
2747 Provide input and assist in post-action effectiveness assessments. Task
2748 Provide input and assist in the development of plans and guidance. Task
3002 Ability to focus research efforts to meet the customer’s decision-making needs. Ability
3022 Ability to communicate complex information, concepts, or ideas in a confident and well-organized manner through verbal, written, and/or visual means. Ability
3039 Ability to develop or recommend analytic approaches or solutions to problems and situations for which information is incomplete or for which no precedent exists. Ability
3044 Ability to exercise judgment when policies are not well-defined. Ability
3047 Ability to function effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Ability
3048 Ability to function in a collaborative environment, seeking continuous consultation with other analysts and experts—both internal and external to the organization—in order to leverage analytical and technical expertise. Ability
3073 Ability to recognize and mitigate cognitive biases which may affect analysis. Ability
3077 Ability to think critically. Ability
3078A Ability to think like threat actors. Ability
3079 Ability to understand objectives and effects. Ability
3098 Knowledge of virtualization products (Vmware, Virtual PC). Knowledge
3106 Knowledge of a wide range of basic communications media concepts and terminology (e.g., computer and telephone networks, satellite, cable, wireless). Knowledge
3107 Knowledge of a wide range of concepts associated with websites (e.g., website types, administration, functions, software systems, etc.). Knowledge
3129 Knowledge of attack methods and techniques (DDoS, brute force, spoofing, etc.). Knowledge
3137 Knowledge of basic malicious activity concepts (e.g., foot printing, scanning and enumeration). Knowledge
3154 Knowledge of classification and control markings standards, policies and procedures. Knowledge
3177 Knowledge of common computer/network infections (virus, Trojan, etc.) and methods of infection (ports, attachments, etc.). Knowledge
3188 Knowledge of computer networking fundamentals (i.e., basic computer components of a network, types of networks, etc.). Knowledge
3225 Knowledge of data communications terminology (e.g., networking protocols, Ethernet, IP, encryption, optical devices, removable media). Knowledge
3253 Knowledge of encryption algorithms and cyber capabilities/tools (e.g., SSL, PGP). Knowledge
3262 Knowledge of evolving/emerging communications technologies. Knowledge
3291 Knowledge of how internet applications work (SMTP email, web-based email, chat clients, VOIP). Knowledge
3292 Knowledge of how modern digital and telephony networks impact cyber operations. Knowledge
3293 Knowledge of how modern wireless communications systems impact cyber operations. Knowledge
3298 Knowledge of how to extract, analyze, and use metadata. Knowledge
3374 Knowledge of malware. Knowledge
3441 Knowledge of physical and logical network devices and infrastructure to include hubs, switches, routers, firewalls, etc. Knowledge
3539 Knowledge of telecommunications fundamentals. Knowledge
3543 Knowledge of the basic structure, architecture, and design of modern communication networks. Knowledge
3545 Knowledge of the basics of network security (e.g., encryption, firewalls, authentication, honey pots, perimeter protection). Knowledge
3561 Knowledge of the common networking and routing protocols(e.g. TCP/IP), services (e.g., web, mail, DNS), and how they interact to provide network communications. Knowledge
3651 Knowledge of what constitutes a “threat” to a network. Knowledge
3691 Skill in assessing and/or estimating effects generated during and after cyber operations. Skill
3756 Skill in developing or recommending analytic approaches or solutions to problems and situations for which information is incomplete or for which no precedent exists. Skill
3770 Skill in evaluating available capabilities against desired effects in order to provide effective courses of action. Skill
3772 Skill in evaluating information for reliability, validity, and relevance. Skill
3788 Skill in identifying alternative analytical interpretations in order to minimize unanticipated outcomes. Skill
3794 Skill in identifying cyber threats which may jeopardize organization and/or partner interests. Skill
3844 Skill in preparing and presenting briefings. Skill
3851 Skill in providing understanding of target or threat systems through the identification and link analysis of physical, functional, or behavioral relationships. Skill
3878 Skill in reviewing and editing assessment products. Skill
3893 Skill in tailoring analysis to the necessary levels (e.g., classification and organizational). Skill
3921 Skill in using multiple search engines (e.g., Google, Yahoo, LexisNexis, DataStar) and tools in conducting open-source searches. Skill
3946 Skill in utilizing virtual collaborative workspaces and/or tools (e.g., IWS, VTCs, chat rooms, SharePoint). Skill
6900 * Knowledge of specific operational impacts of cybersecurity lapses. Knowledge
ADDITIONAL KSATs
KSAT ID Description KSAT
2059 Provide expertise to course of action development. Task
2060 Provide subject matter expertise to the development of a common operational picture. Task
2061 Provide subject matter expertise to the development of cyber operations specific indicators. Task
2066 Provide expertise to the development of measures of effectiveness and measures of performance. Task
2068 Assist in the identification of intelligence collection shortfalls. Task
2075 Brief threat and/or target current situations. Task
2087 Collaborate with intelligence analysts/targeting organizations involved in related areas. Task
2288 Develop information requirements necessary for answering priority information requests. Task
2292 Develop munitions effectiveness assessment or operational assessment materials. Task
2356 Engage customers to understand customers’ intelligence needs and wants. Task
2379 Evaluate threat decision-making processes. Task
2459 Identify intelligence gaps and shortfalls. Task
2617 Produce timely, fused, all-source cyber operations intelligence and/or indications and warnings intelligence products (e.g., threat assessments, briefings, intelligence studies, country studies). Task
2621 Provide SME and support to planning/developmental forums and working groups as appropriate. Task
2735 Provide current intelligence support to critical internal/external stakeholders as appropriate. Task
2738 Provide evaluation and feedback necessary for improving intelligence production, intelligence reporting, collection requirements, and operations. Task
2757 Provide effectiveness support to designated exercises, and/or time sensitive operations. Task
2767 Provide target recommendations which meet leadership objectives. Task
2881 Work closely with planners, intelligence analysts, and collection managers to ensure intelligence requirements and collection plans are accurate and up-to-date. Task
3001 Ability to accurately and completely source all data used in intelligence, assessment and/or planning products. Ability
3019 Ability to clearly articulate intelligence requirements into well-formulated research questions and data tracking variables for inquiry tracking purposes. Ability
3041 Ability to effectively collaborate via virtual teams. Ability
3042 Ability to evaluate information for reliability, validity, and relevance. Ability
3043 Ability to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize large quantities of data (which may be fragmented and contradictory) into high quality, fused targeting/intelligence products. Ability
3052 Ability to identify intelligence gaps. Ability
3074 Ability to recognize and mitigate deception in reporting and analysis. Ability
3081 Ability to utilize multiple intelligence sources across all intelligence disciplines. Ability
3095 Knowledge of internet network addressing (IP addresses, classless inter-domain routing, TCP/UDP port numbering). Knowledge
3159 Knowledge of cyber operations support or enabling processes. Knowledge
3205 Knowledge of current computer-based intrusion sets. Knowledge
3210 Knowledge of cyber laws and their effect on Cyber planning. Knowledge
3271 Knowledge of internal and external partner cyber operations capabilities and tools. Knowledge
3274 Knowledge of fundamental cyber operations concepts, terminology/lexicon (i.e., environment preparation, cyber attack, cyber defense), principles, capabilities, limitations, and effects. Knowledge
3277 Knowledge of general SCADA system components. Knowledge
3286 Knowledge of host-based security products and how they affect exploitation and vulnerability. Knowledge
3334 Knowledge of intelligence confidence levels. Knowledge
3342 Knowledge of intelligence support to planning, execution, and assessment. Knowledge
3343 Knowledge of cyber intelligence/information collection capabilities and repositories. Knowledge
3358 Knowledge of organizational hierarchy and cyber decision making processes. Knowledge
3419 Knowledge of organization or partner exploitation of digital networks. Knowledge
3460 Knowledge of internal tactics to anticipate and/or emulate threat capabilities and actions. Knowledge
3504 Knowledge of threat and/or target systems. Knowledge
3533 Knowledge of target vetting and validation procedures. Knowledge
3584 Knowledge of intelligence preparation of the environment and similar processes. Knowledge
3587 Knowledge of targeting cycles. Knowledge
3615 Knowledge of the structure and intent of organization specific plans, guidance and authorizations. Knowledge
3630 Knowledge of the ways in which targets or threats use the Internet. Knowledge
3659 Knowledge of wireless technologies (e.g., cellular, satellite, GSM) to include the basic structure, architecture, and design of modern wireless communications systems. Knowledge
3704 Skill in conducting non-attributable research. Skill
3724 Skill in defining and characterizing all pertinent aspects of the operational environment. Skill
3793 Skill in identifying critical target elements, to include critical target elements for the cyber domain. Skill
3876 Skill in writing, reviewing and editing cyber-related Intelligence/assessment products from multiple sources. Skill
3907 Skill in using targeting databases and software packages. Skill
3910 Skill in using Boolean operators to construct simple and complex queries. Skill
3920 Skill in using multiple analytic tools, databases, and techniques (e.g., Analyst’s Notebook, A-Space, Anchory, M3, divergent/convergent thinking, link charts, matrices, etc.). Skill
3938 Skill in utilizing feedback in order to improve processes, products, and services. Skill
3953A Skill in providing analysis to aid writing phased after action reports. Skill