Threat Detection - COOP

As a Threat Detection COOP at COGNNA, you’ll design high-impact detection strategies, build powerful automation, and elevate SOC operations to a world-class standard. You’ll also mentor rising cyber talent and collaborate with teams across threat intel, incident response, and platform engineering.

Advanced Threat Detection Engineering

• Build high-fidelity correlation rules and behavioral detections within the COGNNA security platforms.
• Translate adversary TTPs (MITRE ATT&CK), threat intel, and vulnerability data into actionable logic.
• Identify detection gaps and introduce new data sources to cover evolving threat landscapes.
• Automate detection testing and maintain detection quality over time.

Platform Engineering & Optimization

• Lead architecture and optimization of XDR, SIEM, and SOC tech stacks for scale and resilience.
• Streamline log ingestion pipelines - from parsing to normalization and enrichment.
• Build scripts and automations (Python, PowerShell) to enhance SOC efficiency.
• Integrate tools across the SOC stack to enable seamless workflows and response.

Threat Hunting & Incident Response

• Collaborate with intel and IR teams to enrich detection use cases and support threat hunts.
• Provide Tier-3+ support for incident investigations and post-mortem analysis.

Mentorship & SOC Maturity

• Improve SOC playbooks, SOPs, and detection engineering workflows.
• Stay updated on global and regional threats - and evolve detection accordingly.
• Ensure compliance alignment (e.g., NCA ECC, SAMA CSF).

Requirements

Minimum Requirements (Must Haves):

• Education: Currently enrolled in their final year of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a closely related field, with graduation planned within or immediately following the 6-month co-op.
• Foundational Security Knowledge: Basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts, including common attack vectors, the Windows/Linux operating system internals, and network protocols.
• Programming/Scripting Basics: Familiarity with writing simple scripts in Python or PowerShell to automate repetitive tasks or parse data.
• Log & System Familiarity: Basic understanding of what logs are (e.g., Windows Event Logs, Syslog) and an interest in how they are collected and analyzed.
• Duration: Availability to commit to a full-time (or near full-time, depending on university rules) 6-month continuous Co-op assignment.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Haves / Big Plusses):

• Framework Familiarity: Conceptual knowledge of the MITRE ATT&CK framework and how it maps to adversary behaviors.
• Hands-on Exposure: Previous experience using SIEM/XDR platforms, or building a home lab (e.g., Splunk, Elastic, Wireshark).
• Regulatory Awareness: A general awareness of cybersecurity frameworks or local compliance standards (like NCA ECC or SAMA CSF).
• Soft Skills: Strong analytical mindset, a high level of curiosity to dig into threat trends, and excellent written documentation skills.

Benefits

Impact that Matters - Build products that shape the future of cybersecurity and protect organizations globally.

On-Site Collaboration - Be at the heart of innovation in our Almadina office, working side by side with passionate experts.

Continuous Growth - Access to certifications, trainings, and opportunities to sharpen your expertise.

Culture of Trust - We empower talent, encourage ownership, and celebrate real outcomes.