Sr. Security Specialist

Cognizant; Bengaluru; Hybrid; INR 2,000,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Associate – Security Architecture, Design & Proof of Value to drive architecture reviews and hands-on security testing for POCs/POVs. You will translate requirements into practical designs, validate controls, and work with vendors and engineering teams to deliver evidence-based security recommendations.

The role emphasizes security architecture, cloud security, threat modelling, and cross-functional collaboration with senior stakeholders across IAM, data protection,

Qualifications

• 6–9 years of information/cybersecurity experience with architecture, design, or consulting
• Hands-on experience delivering cybersecurity POCs/POVs, tech evaluations or pilots
• Solid understanding of enterprise security architecture principles and secure-by-design practices
• Experience across IAM, cloud security, network security, application/API security, data security, or security operations
• Experience with one or more cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and ability to read architecture diagrams and data flows

Responsibilities

• Support security architecture and solution-design reviews across cloud, applications, infrastructure, data, identity, network, and AI domains.
• Participate in threat modelling and architecture reviews to identify gaps, risks, and remediation.
• Plan and execute cybersecurity POCs/POVs with defined use cases, scope, and success criteria.
• Perform hands-on configuration and testing in POC/POV environments and document gaps and recommendations.
• Develop architecture diagrams, security-control mappings, test cases, and evidence-based recommendations for leadership

Skills

Security architecture

POC/POV

Cloud security

Threat modelling

Stakeholder management

Tools

AWS

Microsoft Azure

Google Cloud

Job description

About Cognizant Corporate

Cognizant Corporate is a global community united by a shared purpose: to make a meaningful impact. We are committed to excellence and driven by outcomes that matter. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, and our forward-thinking mindset fuels continuous learning, innovation, and growth.

At Cognizant, careers transcend titles. We empower our people to think strategically, inspire others, and lead with purpose, always guided by our core values. Join us in shaping the future of business. Could you be the one to make a difference?

About the role

As a Senior Associate – Security Architecture, Design & Proof of Value, you will drive impactful contributions and focus on outcomes. You will be part of the Cybersecurity Architecture & Risk organization, supporting the architecture, design, assessment, and validation of security technology solutions.

You will combine security architecture consulting with hands‑on participation in Proof of Concept (POC) and Proof of Value (POV) activities. Working with Senior Managers, security architects, enterprise architects, engineering teams, and technology vendors, you will translate security requirements into practical designs, validate security controls, assess emerging technologies, and develop evidence‑based recommendations.

In this role, you will:

• Support security architecture and solution‑design reviews across cloud, applications, infrastructure, data, identity, network, and AI domains. Translate business and technology requirements into security requirements, architecture patterns, control recommendations, and practical solution designs.
• Participate in architecture assurance, threat modelling, and design reviews to identify security gaps, dependencies, risks, potential attack paths, and recommended remediation. Assess controls covering IAM, privileged access, workload/service identities, segmentation, encryption, secrets, logging, monitoring, and data protection.
• Plan and execute cybersecurity POCs/POVs by defining use cases, scope, success criteria, test scenarios, acceptance criteria, required integrations, data flows, identities, connectivity, and security controls.
• Perform hands‑on configuration, integration, and testing of security technologies in approved POC/POV environments. Validate vendor capabilities against requirements, troubleshoot technical issues, collect objective evidence, and document gaps, limitations, dependencies, risks, and recommendations.
• Develop architecture and data‑flow diagrams, security‑control mappings, test cases, technical assessments, reusable security architecture patterns, assessment checklists, and POC/POV documentation. Contribute to final reports and leadership presentations and provide status updates on technical issues, dependencies, actions, and risks.

Embrace Cognizant’s culture by striving for excellence, focusing on meaningful outcomes, and collaborating effectively. Prioritize quality, stay curious, commit to continuous learning, take ownership, and build relationships.

What you must have to be considered

• 6–9 years of experience in information/cybersecurity, with practical exposure to security architecture, solution design, security engineering, or consulting.
• Hands‑on experience participating in and delivering cybersecurity POCs/POVs, technology evaluations, or pilots.
• Good understanding of enterprise security architecture principles and secure‑by‑design practices.
• Practical knowledge across multiple security domains such as IAM, cloud security, network security, application/API security, data security, or security operations.
• Working knowledge of at least one major cloud platform such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Ability to understand architecture diagrams, data flows, APIs, and technology integration patterns.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities with attention to technical detail.
• Good communication and stakeholder‑management skills, including the ability to clearly explain technical security concepts.
• A strong sense of ownership and commitment to creating meaningful outcomes, consistent with the corporate template’s required attributes.

These will help you succeed

• Experience supporting cloud and hybrid security assessments.
• Knowledge of identity and access management, privileged access, and workload/service identity security.
• Understanding of network security, segmentation, and Zero Trust principles.
• Knowledge of application/API security, data security, encryption, DLP, security monitoring, and logging.
• Experience with third‑party technology and security assessments.
• Exposure to AI/GenAI security assessments, including identity, data protection, model/API security, agent/tool security, and governance controls.
• Experience with threat modelling, security‑control validation, architecture assurance, and design reviews.
• Ability to develop clear technical assessments and evidence‑based recommendations for senior stakeholders.

Work model

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position open to qualified applicants anywhere in India.

Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work‑life balance through our various wellbeing programs. The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting and may change based on the project as well as business and client requirements.