Defensive Cyberspace Operations Advisor - Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Opportunity (Part-Time): Defensive Cyberspace Operations Advisor - Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Bottom Line Up Front: Hoplite Group is seeking an experienced Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) Advisor to support a U.S. Government advising effort focused on the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR). The advisor will assess partner-nation cyber defense capabilities, operational readiness, and institutional gaps and recommend practical improvements to mission assurance and sustained defensive
cyberspace operations.

Location: Remote support (CONUS) and forward engagements (OCONUS) as part of a U.S Government advising effort.

Level of Effort:
- ​​​​​​​Non-Travel months: Approximately 20-30 hours of remote monthly support.

- OCONUS Engagement months: Approximately 80–100 hours/month

- Travel: Anticipate quarterly OCONUS engagements, Initial travel anticipated January 2027

Availability: Immediate

Objective: Strengthen partner nation's ability to translate defense strategy into operationally relevant cyber missions and plans, integrate defensive cyber operations (DCO) into all-domain operations, and develop the institutions needed to generate and sustain those capabilities. Assist partner nation in drafting cyber policy and
doctrine.

Advisor Responsibilities:
- Assess partner-nation defensive cyberspace operations capabilities, processes, organizational structures, and operational readiness.

- Examine how DCO capabilities are integrated into joint and all-domain operational planning, mission assurance, construct and training of DCO teams, and defense institutional processes.

- Assess cyber defense missions, authorities, command relationships, operational roles, incident response processes, and coordination mechanisms.

- Evaluate processes for detecting, analyzing, responding to, and recovering from malicious cyberspace activity affecting defense networks, systems, and missions.

- Assess DCO planning, cyber protection activities, operational readiness, training, exercises, workforce requirements, and capability-development priorities.

- Identify operational, organizational, technical, workforce, policy, and resource gaps affecting the partner’s ability to conduct sustained defensive cyberspace operations.

- Design and facilitate cyber mission-area analysis, scenario-based discussions, exercises, and institutional decision activities supporting DMF/DPES assessments.

- Develop evidence-based findings, capability improvement options, and proposed performance measures for incorporation into the institutional improvement roadmap.

- Coordinate cyber findings with governance, joint operations, and defense management advisors to ensure cyberspace requirements are integrated into broader defense planning and capability decisions.

Required Qualifications:
- 7+ years of experience in defensive cyberspace operations, cybersecurity operations, cyber operations, or military cyberspace planning.

- Demonstrated experience in cyber defense, incident response, threat-informed defense, mission
assurance, or protection of defense networks and systems.

Originally posted on Himalayas