Operational Technology (OT) Security Architect

Accenture; Ireland; On-site; Full time

Job description

The OT Security Architect is responsible for protecting industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology environments against cyber threats while ensuring safety, availability, and regulatory compliance. The role bridges IT and OT, enabling secure digital operations across critical infrastructure environments such as utilities, energy, manufacturing, and transportation.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement OT cybersecurity strategy, policies, and standards aligned to IEC 62443, NIST 800 82, NIS D, and ISO 27001.
• Establish OT security governance models and maintain OT risk registers across facilities.
• Act as a trusted advisor to OT operations, engineering, and executive stakeholders.
• Architecture & Secure Design
• Design secure OT network architectures aligned to the Purdue Model (Levels 0-3.5).
• Define and validate secure IT/OT integration patterns, including data flows, remote access, and segmentation.
• Review and secure digital transformation initiatives (e.g., historians, analytics platforms).
• Threat & Vulnerability Management
• Conduct OT specific risk assessments, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing of SCADA/DCS/PLC environments.
• Implement vulnerability management and patching strategies suitable for safety critical systems.
• Support OT incident response and forensic investigations.
• Security Controls Implementation
• Deploy and operate OT security technologies including:
  • OT Intrusion Detection / Network Monitoring (e.g., passive IDS)
  • Firewalls and segmentation controls at Levels 2 & 3
  • Secure remote access solutions
  • Removable media controls and data diodes
• Support deployment across geographically dispersed and remote field sites.

Compliance & Regulatory Assurance

• Support compliance with NIS D, sector specific regulations, and audit requirements.
• Prepare evidence, security reports, and remediation plans for regulatory and internal audits.
• Translate regulatory requirements into practical, site level security controls.
• Stakeholder & Delivery Management
• Liaise with plant operators, OT engineers, OEMs, vendors, and system integrators.
• Lead or support multi-site OT security deployments and uplift programmes.
• Provide training and awareness sessions for OT and SCADA teams.

Required Experience & Skills

• Strong hands‑on experience in OT / IC / SCADA / DCS environments.
• Deep understanding of industrial networking, protocols, and architectures.
• Proven experience delivering OT security assessments, designs, and implementations.
• Knowledge of OT security standards and frameworks:
  • IEC 62443
  • NIST 800 82
  • NIS D
  • ISO 27001 (OT relevant controls)
• Experience working in critical infrastructure or highly regulated environments.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by applicable law. Our rich diversity makes us more innovative, more competitive, and more creative, which helps us better serve our clients and our communities.