CISO

Key Responsibilities :

1. Strategic Leadership and Governance

Develop and implement a comprehensive information security strategy that aligns with business goals and risk appetite.

1. Lead the creation and execution of policies, processes, and standards to ensure the highest level of cybersecurity across the organization.
2. Serve as the primary advisor on all cybersecurity matters to the executive team, board of directors, and key stakeholders.
3. Ensure that information security strategies comply with regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, POPI, etc.) and are consistent with best practices.
4. Report on the status of information security risks, threats, and controls to senior management and board members.

1. Risk Management and Incident Response

Oversee the identification, assessment, and management of cybersecurity risks, including internal and external threats, vulnerabilities, and third-party risks.

1. Lead the development and implementation of an incident response plan, ensuring that security incidents are promptly detected, analyzed, mitigated, and reported.
2. Drive a culture of continuous improvement by ensuring proactive identification and mitigation of emerging cybersecurity threats.

1. Cybersecurity Operations & Threat Intelligence

Manage a security operations team responsible for day-to-day monitoring, detection, and response to security threats.

1. Utilize advanced threat intelligence tools to detect and neutralize threats across the organization's systems and networks.
2. Collaborate with other teams to identify and address vulnerabilities through regular penetration testing, audits, and threat assessments.

1. Team Development and Leadership

Build and mentor a high-performing team of cybersecurity professionals, providing guidance and career development opportunities.

1. Foster a culture of security awareness and ensure that employees at all levels understand their role in safeguarding information and digital assets.
2. Collaborate with internal teams, including IT, legal, compliance, and business units, to ensure effective cybersecurity implementation.

1. Vendor and Third-Party Security

Oversee the evaluation, selection, and management of third-party vendors and service providers to ensure their cybersecurity practices meet the organization's standards.

1. Conduct regular risk assessments of third-party relationships and ensure that appropriate security controls are in place for all external partners.

1. Compliance and Auditing

Ensure that the organization is compliant with relevant industry standards, regulations, and frameworks, such as ISO 27001, NIST, SOC 2, etc.

1. Lead internal and external audits to evaluate and strengthen the effectiveness of the organization's cybersecurity practices.
2. Report on security compliance to internal and external auditors, as well as regulatory authorities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) :

1. Reduction in security incidents and breaches over time.
2. Successful completion of regular security audits and assessments.
3. Achievement of compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
4. Successful implementation of cybersecurity programs and initiatives.
5. Improvement in overall organizational security posture and risk mitigation.

Qualifications and Experience :

Education and Certification :

1. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
2. Industry-recognized certifications, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
3. Relevant certifications in IT governance, risk management, and incident response (e.g., CISA, CRISC, CISM).

Experience :

1. Minimum of 10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
2. Proven experience in managing and implementing information security programs for large, complex organizations.
3. Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance frameworks related to information security and data privacy (e.g., GDPR, POPI, SOX).
4. Experience in leading incident response and crisis management efforts, including coordinating with law enforcement and legal teams.
5. Demonstrated experience in managing a security operations team and aligning security initiatives with business goals.

Skills and Competencies :

1. Leadership: Ability to inspire and lead teams, develop talent, and drive security initiatives at all levels of the organization.
2. Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute long-term cybersecurity strategies that align with organizational goals.
3. Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex security issues to non-technical stakeholders.
4. Problem Solving: Proven ability to analyze and address complex security challenges in a fast-paced environment.
5. Business Acumen: Understanding of how security risks intersect with business objectives, ensuring security efforts drive business value.
6. Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work across departments and influence key stakeholders.