About the Position

Incident Response & Threat Intelligence Lead

Japan

About Us

Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services. Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks. Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response.

Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies - including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM. Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

Role Summary

Incident Response & Threat Intelligence Leads support clients in managing increasingly sophisticated security threats daily. They not only assist in responding to incidents as they occur but also help clients prepare in advance for effective incident response. Whether handling small-scale or complex, large-scale incidents, we assist clients by conducting technical investigations, identifying the root cause and scope of the incident based on attacker behavior, and providing recommended response strategies.

In addition, this role will act as a key liaison with the Sophos Counter Threat Unit, ensuring investigative findings are enriched with the latest intelligence on attacker tactics, techniques, and infrastructure. The role also translates operational intelligence into actionable guidance for clients and internal teams.

Leads are also responsible for delivering high-quality presentations and briefings, both technical and executive-level. This includes presenting investigation findings, explaining threat intelligence trends, and clearly communicating response recommendations to diverse audiences to support informed decision-making.

Responsibilities

Perform incident response investigations, containment, and root cause analysis activities across multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux/Unix platforms.
Utilize Sophos tools to conduct large-scale investigations and examine endpoint and network-based evidence.
Own the customer engagement including leading communications with the customer’s senior stakeholders.
Liaise with other internal teams to set priorities as part of the incident response.
Effectively report on the status and any points of concern within customer engagements to senior management within Sophos.
Produce high-quality written and verbal communications, recommendations, and findings to customer stakeholders.
Recognize and codify attacker TTPs to enhance current and future investigations and tooling.
Work with SophosLabs, security and IT teams to implement remediation plans in response to security incidents.
Maintain awareness of current cybersecurity tools and threat landscape in order to advise customers appropriately.
Serve as the primary liaison with internal threat intelligence teams, integrating timely intelligence on attacker tactics, techniques, and infrastructure into investigations and client deliverables to strengthen response strategies.
Translate complex threat intelligence into clear, actionable insights for clients, presenting trends, adversary behaviors, and likely attack scenarios in a way that supports decision-making and improves clients’ overall security posture.

Requirements

Proficiency in the Japanese language.
Open to work outside of standard business hours including weekends, on call rotations and holidays to respond to our clients incidents.
5+ years of experience leading incident response investigations in a methodical manner for organisations and investigating targeted threats impacting customer environments.
Experience with Encase, FTK, X-Ways, CYLR, Autopsy, Magnet Forensics or one or more open-source forensic tool(s).
Experience conducting forensics in Microsoft 365 environments.
Deep understanding of security threats, vulnerabilities, and ‘Living off the Land’ techniques.
Able to thrive within a team environment as well as on an individual basis.
Demonstrate strong leadership in challenging environments, maintaining a professional, calm, and expert manner at all times.
Ability to use individual team members’ strengths and skills to successfully lead an incident response.
Good technical understanding of modern threats, TTPs, and the MITRE ATT&CK Matrix.
Strong report-writing and communication skills.

Nice to Have

Fluent in English language.
Experience with Sophos security solutions and other recognised EDR solutions.
Experience conducting forensics in AWS environments.
Experience of supporting organisations of different sizes and geographical locations, across industries.
Threat hunting experience.
Experience administering and supporting Windows, Mac and Linux based operating systems.
Understanding of OSQuery (or SQL).
At least one certification in GCIH, GCFA, GCFE. Advanced Information Security certifications preferred but not required.
Resolution of security incidents by identifying root cause and security posture improvement recommendations.
Demonstrated thought leadership through industry presentations, blogs, media articles, etc.

We Offer

Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach.
Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit.
Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy.
Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities.
Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint.
Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp.
Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge.
Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing.

Ready to Join Us?

At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back – we encourage you to apply.

Our Commitment To You

We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team. All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation. We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know.

Data Protection

If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos. If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights. For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Incident Response & Threat Intelligence Lead

Job description