Job Description: Director/VP - Network Security Engineer
Job Summary
The Director/VP of Network Security Engineer is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing and ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of an organization’s network security infrastructure. This role involves leading a team of network security professionals to develop, implement, and maintain robust security strategies, frameworks, and policies. The Director/VP will act as a liaison between IT and upper management to ensure alignment with organizational goals while driving security initiatives forward. This individual will manage a diverse range of complex tasks related to network security operations, including threat assessment, risk management, incident response, and regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategy Development:
- Lead and mentor a high-performing team of network security engineers, architects, and analysts.
- Develop long-term strategies and tactical plans for securing the organization’s network infrastructure.
- Ensure alignment of network security policies with overall business goals and industry regulations.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., IT, operations, compliance) to integrate security practices into all business processes.
Network Security Architecture:
- Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive network security architecture that protects the organization’s network and data.
- Conduct network security assessments and vulnerability testing to identify potential threats.
- Implement and manage next-generation firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and other key security technologies.
- Create and enforce security policies for networks, endpoints, and communications.
Incident Response and Risk Management:
- Lead incident response efforts to quickly identify and mitigate network security threats and breaches.
- Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans specifically related to network security.
- Perform risk assessments, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing to identify risks and provide mitigation strategies.
- Oversee the identification, documentation, and resolution of security incidents.
Compliance and Regulatory Management:
- Ensure the organization’s network security practices comply with all relevant industry standards, laws, and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS).
- Collaborate with compliance teams to prepare for and support audits and regulatory assessments.
- Ensure proper documentation and reporting of security incidents in line with organizational policies.
Training and Development:
- Provide ongoing training to security engineers and broader IT staff on emerging threats, security trends, and technologies.
- Establish security awareness programs for employees to promote safe network practices.
Vendor and Technology Management:
- Manage relationships with external security vendors and service providers.
- Evaluate, select, and integrate new security technologies into the existing network security infrastructure.
Budgeting and Resource Management:
- Oversee budget and resources for the network security department, ensuring cost-effective solutions.
- Ensure appropriate allocation of resources for ongoing security projects and operations.
Reporting and Communication:
- Provide regular updates and reports on network security performance to the executive leadership team.
- Communicate security risks and incident responses clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Skills and Knowledge Required
Technical Expertise:
- Deep knowledge of network security protocols, tools, and technologies (e.g., firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, SSL/TLS, DLP).
- Expertise in security tools and platforms (e.g., SIEM, vulnerability scanners, endpoint protection, and data encryption).
- Understanding of enterprise network architecture and technologies such as SD-WAN, cloud security, and multi-cloud environments.
Leadership and Management:
- Proven ability to lead and manage large teams of technical professionals in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience in cross-department collaboration and alignment of security goals with business priorities.
Incident Response and Forensics:
- Advanced knowledge of network forensics, security monitoring, and incident response strategies.
- Expertise in handling complex security incidents, data breaches, and coordinated attack response.
Risk Management and Compliance:
- Strong understanding of risk management frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001).
- In-depth knowledge of industry regulations and standards such as GDPR, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOX, etc.
Strategic Thinking:
- Ability to develop long-term security strategies that align with the business objectives of the organization.
- Proficiency in identifying emerging threats and devising proactive countermeasures.
Analytical Skills:
- Strong analytical skills to assess and evaluate security risks and the effectiveness of security measures.
- Ability to prioritize issues based on potential business impact.
Educational Qualifications
- Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field.
- Preferred: Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, or Business Administration (MBA).
Certifications:- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA Security) or Professional (CCNP Security)
- GIAC Security Expert (GSE)
Key Focus Areas
- Network Security Architecture: Design, implement, and ensure security of the organization's network infrastructure.
- Cybersecurity Leadership: Lead security teams and programs, driving organizational security initiatives.
- Incident Response and Risk Management: Lead efforts in identifying, mitigating, and responding to security breaches.
- Compliance and Standards: Ensure adherence to security regulations, standards, and internal policies.
Experience
Required:
- 10+ years of experience in network security, including at least 5 years in a leadership role such as Network Security Manager, Lead Security Engineer, or Security Architect.
- Proven experience in implementing network security infrastructure for large organizations.
- Experience in handling large-scale security incidents and leading incident response efforts.
Preferred:
- Experience working in industries with high regulatory requirements, such as financial services, healthcare, or government sectors.
- Experience in managing a multi-location or global network security operation.
Tools and Equipment
- Security Tools: SIEM (e.g., Splunk, SolarWinds), IDS/IPS (e.g., Snort, Suricata), firewall appliances (e.g., Palo Alto, Fortinet), VPN solutions (e.g., Cisco AnyConnect), endpoint protection platforms (e.g., CrowdStrike, Carbon Black).
- Operating Systems: Linux, Windows, MacOS, and network devices (routers, switches, firewalls).
- Monitoring and Management Tools: Nagios, SolarWinds, ManageEngine, Wireshark, and other network monitoring platforms.
- Risk and Compliance Tools: RSA Archer, Qualys, and other risk management platforms.
- Communication Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Confluence for team collaboration and incident management.
Other Requirements
- Communication: Ability to communicate complex security concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving capabilities, with a focus on resolving complex security challenges under pressure.
- Continuous Learning: Willingness to keep up with emerging threats, technologies, and security trends through continuous learning and certification.
- Availability: Willingness to participate in on-call rotations or respond to security incidents outside of business hours, when necessary.
- Travel: Occasional travel for meetings with stakeholders or vendors, conferences, or training.