Mission Assessment Specialist

Mission Assessment Specialist Work Role ID: 112 (NIST: AN-AN-002) Workforce Element: Cyberspace Effects

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.


Items denoted by a * are CORE KSATs for every Work Role, while other CORE KSATs vary by Work Role.

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