Security Engineer I – Palo Alto Technologies 

The Hartford's Information Protection (THIP) organization is seeking a motivated Security Engineer to join our team supporting and enhancing our Palo Alto security platforms. This role provides an opportunity to work alongside experienced security professionals while developing technical expertise across Palo Alto technologies, including next-generation firewalls, web filtering, SSL decryption, and cloud security services. 

The successful candidate will assist with the operational support, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Palo Alto technologies across both on-premises and cloud environments. This position is ideal for an individual looking to deepen their knowledge of network and cloud security while contributing to a large-scale enterprise security program. 

The role offers exposure to a wide range of security technologies, operational processes, and enterprise security practices. The candidate will be encouraged to grow their technical skills, pursue certifications, and develop an understanding of security operations and engineering best practices. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Assist in the implementation, administration, and support of Palo Alto security technologies, including firewalls, web filtering, and SSL decryption. 

• Support day-to-day operational activities, including incident investigation, troubleshooting, and issue resolution. 

• Work with senior engineers to maintain system stability, performance, and platform currency. 

• Participate in firewall policy reviews and connectivity requests to support business and technology initiatives. 

• Collaborate with infrastructure, application, and cloud teams to help address network security requirements. 

• Assist in performing software upgrades, patching activities, and maintenance tasks. 

• Support operational reporting and dashboard development for security metrics and platform performance. 

• Help identify potential security risks and participate in remediation efforts. 

• Participate in technical projects and contribute to process improvement and automation initiatives. 

• Maintain technical documentation, operational procedures, and knowledge articles. 

• Participate in an off-hours on-call rotation as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Required 

• 1-3 years of experience in information security, network engineering, systems administration, or related technical disciplines. 

• Basic understanding of networking concepts including TCP/IP, routing, switching, and firewalls. 

• Familiarity with security technologies such as firewalls, web filtering, VPNs, or intrusion prevention systems. 

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. 

• Effective verbal and written communication skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and adapt to changing priorities. 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Customer-focused mindset and willingness to collaborate across teams. 

Preferred 

• Exposure to Palo Alto Networks products through coursework, internships, lab environments, or professional experience. 

• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS or GCP. 

• Experience with scripting or automation tools such as PowerShell or Python. 

• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and industry best practices. 

• Entry-level security or networking certifications such as:  

• Security+ 

• Network+ 

• Associate-level Palo Alto certification (PCCET or PCNSA) 

• AWS Cloud Practitioner 

• Google Associate Cloud Engineer 

What You'll Gain 

• Hands-on experience supporting enterprise-scale Palo Alto security platforms. 

• Exposure to cloud security technologies and hybrid infrastructure environments. 

• Mentorship from experienced security engineers and architects. 

• Opportunities to pursue technical certifications and professional development. 

• Experience working within a mature enterprise cybersecurity organization.