Cyber Security Assurance Testing Lead

UNSW Employees, Location, Alumni; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 139,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Options

Career development opportunities

17% Superannuation

Job summary

University of New South Wales in Sydney, NSW, is seeking a Cyber Security Assurance Testing Lead within UNSW IT. This full-time continuing role combines hands-on testing with governance, reporting, and stakeholder guidance.

Starting salary is $153,933 AUD plus superannuation; hybrid work with 2-3 days in the Kensington office. You will lead automated and manual testing, risk communication and control assurances across the university.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of IT security services experience including penetration testing and vulnerability management.
• Experience in 1st line assurance with scanning systems.
• Knowledge of security standards (ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, OWASP, PCI DSS).
• Experience with cloud security (AWS/Azure) and security tooling.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver automated and manual penetration testing across ICT services and initiatives.
• Update and maintain the cyber risk register with testing findings.
• Communicate results and remediation timelines to owners and operators.
• Support audit activities and compliance with university security standards.

Skills

Cyber security

Penetration testing

Vulnerability management

Cloud security

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Pentera

Tenable.io

Checkmarx

Lacework

GuardDuty

Job description

Cyber Security Assurance Testing Lead University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, AU

Job Description

• Full time continuing role within UNSW IT, Cyber Directorate - Cyber Security Assurance Testing Lead
• Starting Salary $153,933 plus generous superannuation and leave loading
• Kensington, Sydney location, 2-3 days in the office, Hybrid working

About UNSW:

UNSW isn't like other places you've worked. Yes, we're a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. It's the reason we're one of the top 20 universities in the world (QS top 20) and a member of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you're in the right place.

The Cyber Security Assurance Testing Lead maintains, delivers and administers Cyber Security Assurance Services within a fit-for-purpose and adaptive Cyber Security Risk Management framework. The role is responsible for the assurance testing of ICT services and IT initiatives, and the provision of cyber security subject matter expertise, controls assurance, and reporting services to university stakeholders. The Cyber Security Assurance Testing Lead reports to the Cyber Security Controls Assurance Manager and has no direct reports.

Accountabilities

• Ensure that high and medium cyber risk rated information resources and services are regularly subjected to security testing which includes penetration tests, web application scanning, dynamic application security testing and API testing.
• Proactively conduct automated penetration testing and vulnerability assessments of new and existing applications, systems, and networks using relevant tools.
• Facilitate annual controls assurance testing including but not limited to annual penetration testing of high cyber risk rated assets, red teaming exercises, etc, with the support of cyber security analysts, internal team members and external testing partners.
• Review, validate and triage findings from the manual and automated penetration tests, vulnerability scans, app security testing, CSPM tools, API testing, etc.
• Update the cyber risk register with risks from controls assurance tests.
• Communicate and report on controls assurance testing findings and associated risks, and work with business owners, control owners and operators to remediate and close findings/issues as per vulnerability remediation timeframes stipulated in in the University's security standards.
• Ensure the accurate and timely release of controls assurance testing reporting and metrics.
• Regularly review threat and vulnerability advisories from various sources (e.g. ACSC, NCSC, CISA) and, where a high priority response is required across the organisation, collaborate with the Cyber Security Operations teams.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and execution of a continuous control's assurance testing approach, including monitoring, control uplift (incl. automation) and rationalisation.
• Support the independent audit of cyber security controls on behalf of the University, including statutory audits completed by the Audit Office of NSW.
• Maintain awareness of changes to legal, regulatory compliance and contractual obligations that are relevant to the University's management of cyber security risks.
• Promote awareness of the University's internal and external environment for emerging cyber security threats.
• Build effective working relationship with internal and external stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that meet business needs.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, championing professional standards, innovation, and methods.
• Other duties appropriate and in line with to this position as requested by the Cyber Security Controls Assurance Manager or the Cyber Security leadership team.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.
• Ensure hazards and risks psychosocial and physical are identified and controlled for tasks, projects, and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility.

Candidates do not need to meet every criterion to apply. We will consider equivalent skills and experience gained through diverse career paths, professional development, technical training and practical experience, alongside relevant desirable experience.

Candidate Requirements

• 6+ years of IT security services experience, 3+ years of experience in penetration testing, vulnerability management, application security testing, source code review.
• Experience in 1st line assurance role, working with vulnerability management and scanning systems.
• Scripting in PowerShell, Python, Bash, etc is advantageous.
• AWS, Azure and Microsoft365 security experience desirable but not mandatory.
• A relevant degree with extensive experience in cyber security operations or assurance teams within major organisations or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training, and experience.
• Excellent understanding of industry-wide security standards and compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, OWASP, CSA, Essential 8, PCI DSS, COBIT 5, Mitre ATT&CK etc.
• Relevant industry certification(s) such as SANS certifications, CEH, OSCP, CompTIA Security+, and cloud platform certifications such as, AWS Security Speciality, Microsoft Azure (highly desirable).
• Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills including ability to develop effective relationships and influence key stakeholders at all levels in the organisation.
• Analytical ability to present with credibility and translate technical and complex information concisely for diverse audiences using strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated high level of personal motivation, resilience, and ability to work effectively individually or in teams.
• Experience in the use of automated vulnerability scanning, security validation, penetration testing, static and dynamic application security testing, and cloud posture management tools e.g. such as Pentera, Tenable.io, Checkmarx, Lacework, GuardDuty etc.
• Ability to code in PowerShell, Python, Bash, etc is advantageous.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW's aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Benefits and Culture

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role; valid Australian working rights are required on application.

Pre-Employment Checks

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

Applications close: Thursday 10th of September at 11.30pm

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.