Chief Information Security Officer

University of Alberta Careers; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alberta is seeking a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to provide leadership to cybersecurity and IT compliance within Information Services & Technology (IST). The CISO reports to the CIO and AVP IST, translating strategic security vision into operational action plans for staff and programs across the university.

In a complex academic environment, the CISO will develop and implement a comprehensive security strategy, safeguard university assets, and ensure regulatory

Responsibilities

• Leads development of a comprehensive security strategy to safeguard university assets, information, and infrastructure.
• Oversees cybersecurity and IT compliance functions within IST and aligns security with regulatory requirements.

Job description

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Associate Vice-President of Information Services & Technology (IST), the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) provides leadership to discrete functions, operations, programs or services within the cybersecurity and IT compliance areas of the university. The CISO is a Director within IST, reporting to the CIO alongside the other IST portfolio directors, and works in close collaboration with them so that security is built into how systems and services are designed, implemented and supported. Directors are expected to generate excitement, engagement, support and momentum for their area’s initiatives. As leaders, they straddle the worlds of operational and strategic leadership, translating strategic vision into operational/action plans for their staff.

The CISO leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive security strategy to safeguard University assets, information, and infrastructure. This role operates within a complex academic environment, supporting institutional goals while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and emerging security threats. The University of Alberta is an internationally recognized institution and with extensive research programs and as such this role will need to understand regional, national and international cybersecurity policies and trends. Artificial intelligence is reshaping both the threat landscape and the university’s operating environment. The CISO will lead the institution’s approach to securing and governing its use across teaching, research and administration, while enabling the innovation that AI makes possible.