ISSO jobs in Fort Meade, MD
Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO)
Continuous monitoring, RMF execution, operational security posture, and compliance evidence for cleared mission systems.
Apply for this RoleGS Consulting Environment
Operational Security That Actually Stays Operational
At GS Consulting, ISSO work is not treated as a static checklist. The work matters because mission systems keep changing, vulnerabilities keep moving, and evidence has to be reliable when customers, auditors, and technical teams need it.
This role is built for security professionals who can keep the operational picture clear. You will help maintain control status, support RMF execution, track vulnerabilities, coordinate with system owners, and make sure security requirements are not separated from how the system actually runs.
The Work
What the Role Looks Like Day to Day
ISSO work usually starts with the current state of the system. What changed? What vulnerability remains open? What evidence is missing? What customer requirement needs a response? What risk needs to be explained before it turns into a bigger problem?
A typical day may include reviewing scan results, updating security artifacts, tracking remediation, preparing evidence, supporting control reviews, answering customer questions, and coordinating with ISSEs and administrators. The best ISSOs are organized, practical, and hard to surprise.
Mission and Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
Our ISSOs support secure operations across mission systems. Depending on your LCAT level, you will be expected to:
- Continuously monitor mission networks and information systems to identify security concerns, unresolved vulnerabilities, and operational risk.
- Execute Risk Management Framework activities and help maintain the security posture of systems across the authorization life cycle.
- Interpret IT policies, directives, control requirements, and customer guidance into practical security actions for system owners and technical teams.
- Support system auditing, vulnerability tracking, control evidence, Plan of Action and Milestones updates, and recurring compliance reporting.
- Coordinate with ISSEs, administrators, system owners, and customer stakeholders as systems move from deployment into secure continuous operation.
Technical Domains
Required Technical Domains
Successful Information Systems Security Officers at GS Consulting need practical experience across several of the following technical domains:
- Risk Management Framework and security control management
- Information security, cyber security, and network security
- Information Systems Continuous Monitoring
- System auditing, vulnerability analysis, and remediation tracking
- Information systems security technologies
- Network administration and systems administration
- Operational compliance evidence and customer reporting
Preferred Degree Fields and Required Certifications
Preferred degree fields include Information Assurance, Information Security, Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Networking, Information Science, Cyber Security, or a related field. The degree must be from an accredited institution.
All ISSO candidates must hold an active Information Assurance Manager Tier 1 certification or higher in accordance with DoD 8570.01 M and 8140 directives.
Tools and Mission Context
Evidence Only Matters If It Matches the System
Information Systems Security Officers use security policies, control frameworks, system documentation, vulnerability data, audit evidence, authorization packages, and customer reporting processes to keep mission systems within an acceptable risk posture.
The work is not just collecting artifacts. It is knowing whether the artifacts reflect reality. That means working with administrators, engineers, ISSEs, system owners, and mission stakeholders so security status is accurate, current, and useful.
Compensation
Estimated Compensation Range
Estimated compensation for Information Systems Security Officer roles ranges from $110,000 to $220,000 per year. Final compensation depends on ISSO level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, certifications, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
The range is intentionally broad because this posting covers Levels 1 through 3. A senior ISSO is expected to bring stronger independent judgment, deeper customer trust, and better command of evidence, controls, and operational risk.
Qualification Paths
LCAT Qualification Paths
We are actively staffing billets across ISSO levels 1 through 3. Military training is highly valued for this role. Relevant experience should connect to information assurance, cyber security, RMF, system auditing, vulnerability management, network administration, systems administration, or related mission work.
Level 1
- 18 semester hours of military coursework or training in a computer related field plus 4 years of experience
- High School Diploma or GED plus 6 years of experience
- Associate Degree plus 4 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 2 years of experience
Level 2
- 18 semester hours of military coursework or training plus 7 years of experience
- High School Diploma or GED plus 9 years of experience
- Associate Degree plus 7 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 5 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 3 years of experience
Level 3
- 18 semester hours of military coursework or training plus 10 years of experience
- High School Diploma or GED plus 12 years of experience
- Associate Degree plus 10 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 8 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 6 years of experience
Career Growth
How ISSOs Grow Across Levels
Growth in this role comes from stronger ownership of the security picture. Junior ISSOs may focus on artifact updates, monitoring support, and remediation tracking. Senior ISSOs are trusted to identify risk early, explain tradeoffs clearly, and keep customers aligned when system changes affect control status.
At GS Consulting, ISSO growth can lead deeper into security operations, information assurance leadership, RMF execution, systems security engineering, or roles that connect customer requirements with secure mission delivery.
Why GS Consulting
A Smaller Team That Cares About the Work
GS Consulting takes a direct approach to cleared mission support. We care whether the person in the seat can help the customer understand the system, track the risk, and keep the evidence clean enough to trust.
ISSO work can become generic if the team only chases paperwork. That is not the standard here. The right ISSO understands that operational security is about discipline, accuracy, communication, and mission continuity.
Role Questions
Information Systems Security Officer FAQ
What does an Information Systems Security Officer do?
An Information Systems Security Officer helps maintain the operational security posture of mission systems. The role includes continuous monitoring, RMF support, vulnerability tracking, control evidence, security documentation, compliance reporting, policy interpretation, and coordination with system owners, administrators, ISSEs, and customer stakeholders.
What clearance is required for GS Consulting ISSO roles?
GS Consulting Information Systems Security Officer roles require an active TS/SCI clearance. Candidates must also be able to meet customer, contract, and site access requirements for the specific billet. If additional customer screening is required, that will be handled during recruiting rather than posted as public qualification language.
What are the ISSO levels 1, 2, and 3?
ISSO levels reflect increasing experience, independence, and operational security responsibility. Level 1 starts at 2 to 6 years of relevant experience depending on education or military training path. Level 2 ranges from 3 to 9 years. Level 3 ranges from 6 to 12 years. Relevant experience should involve information assurance, cyber security, RMF, system auditing, vulnerability management, network administration, systems administration, or related mission work.
How is an ISSO different from an ISSE?
An ISSO focuses on operational security management, compliance tracking, continuous monitoring, control status, evidence quality, and day to day security oversight. An Information Systems Security Engineer focuses more on security architecture, requirements, design, and technical risk decisions. The roles work closely together, but the ISSO is usually closer to system operation and compliance execution.
What certifications are required for ISSO candidates?
ISSO candidates must hold an active Information Assurance Manager Tier 1 certification or higher in accordance with DoD 8570.01 M and 8140 directives. Specific certification alignment can vary by customer requirement, so candidates should include current certifications when applying.
What skills make a strong Information Systems Security Officer candidate?
Strong candidates understand RMF, security controls, continuous monitoring, vulnerability tracking, system auditing, policy interpretation, cyber security, network administration, systems administration, and compliance evidence. The best ISSOs can keep security work organized without losing sight of the mission system and the people who operate it.
What does an Information Systems Security Officer earn?
Estimated compensation for GS Consulting Information Systems Security Officer roles ranges from $110,000 to $220,000 per year. Final compensation depends on ISSO level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, certifications, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
Are these ISSO jobs onsite?
Yes. These Information Systems Security Officer positions support work in the Fort Meade, MD and Annapolis Junction area. Because the work is tied to cleared government facilities, sensitive systems, and customer mission requirements, candidates should expect onsite work rather than a remote arrangement.
How do I apply for GS Consulting ISSO roles?
Use the Apply for this Role button on this page or email your resume directly to info@gsconsultingllc.com. Include your active clearance level, current information assurance certifications, primary ISSO or cyber security experience, and the ISSO level you believe matches your background.
Ready to secure the enterprise?
Send us your resume. Please include your active clearance level, current information assurance certifications, primary ISSO or cyber security experience, and the specific ISSO level you are targeting.