Are you a seasoned SOC Analyst looking for your next contract role?Your new company
Join a security-focused organisation delivering critical services during important operational periods. You will work alongside an experienced Security professional in an environment where effective monitoring, incident response and threat detection are essential.

Your new role
As an SOC Analyst, you will provide additional security coverage during key operational timelines and extended working hours. Your responsibilities will include:

- Monitoring and triaging Microsoft Sentinel incidents based on severity and business impact.
- Investigating alerts across Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR.
- Using KQL and advanced hunting to identify threats, affected assets and potential compromise.
- Documenting investigation findings and recommending containment or remediation actions.
- Reviewing and tuning detection rules to reduce false positives without weakening security coverage.
- Identifying logging gaps, duplicate data and opportunities to optimise ingestion and retention costs.
- Reviewing critical Defender XDR vulnerabilities and providing risk-based remediation guidance.
- Using threat intelligence to support investigations, hunting and detection improvements.
- Maintaining clear incident records, ownership, escalation details, closure rationale and follow-up actions.
- Providing concise operational reporting across incidents, vulnerabilities, logging and outstanding actions.

What you'll need to succeed
To be successful in this role,



you will need solid experience in KQL skills and conducting advanced threat hunting. You'll also need:

- Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR.
- Demonstrated experience in security incident triage, investigation, escalation and closure.
- Strong KQL skills and experience conducting advanced threat hunting.
- Experience reviewing and tuning security detections, thresholds and automation.
- Knowledge of security logging, telemetry coverage, data ingestion and retention.
- Experience identifying logging cost-saving opportunities without reducing detection effectiveness.
- Practical experience reviewing security vulnerabilities and recommending remediation actions.
- The ability to apply threat intelligence to investigations, detection tuning and threat hunting.
- Strong documentation and reporting skills.
- The ability to independently manage incidents throughout their lifecycle.

What you'll get in return The opportunity to work on critical and meaningful security operations. Short-term role Hybrid work cultureWhat you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

Hays appreciates the importance of workforce diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunities employer and have policies, procedures and relationships in place to promote our understanding of all forms of diversity. #3017460

📌 SOC Analyst (Melbourne)
🏢 Hays
📍 Melbourne