Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst

Defend Ltd.; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3.5% KiwiSaver on base salary

Southern Cross Health Insurance

Mobile and Broadband discounts

Flexible, hybrid work environment

Home office setup allowance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

DEFEND is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst to lead investigations, hunt threats, and strengthen customer security postures. You will work with NZ’s leading cybersecurity professionals and contribute to managed security services for organisations nationwide.

In this on-site role, you will own vulnerability management, assess risk, and drive remediation across infrastructure, endpoints, and applications in Auckland or Wellington.

Qualifications

• Experience with vulnerability management platforms (e.g. Qualys) and threat detection tooling.
• Hands-on threat hunting and security operations expertise.
• Experience with SIEM/EDR and modern security tooling.
• Scripting/automation skills (Python, PowerShell, Bash) or AI techniques.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end vulnerability management across infrastructure, endpoints, and applications.
• Identify, prioritise, and communicate risk—from everyday exposures to zero-day threats.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting using languages like KQL, CQL.
• Investigate and respond to real-world security incidents across identity, endpoint, and network layers.
• Automate security operations using Python, PowerShell, Bash, and/or AI techniques.
• Partner with stakeholders to drive remediation and risk reduction.
• Deliver high-quality reporting and insights that influence decision-making.
• Contribute to cloud security posture and hardening initiatives.
• Continuously improve playbooks, processes, and detection capability.

Skills

Vulnerability management

Threat hunting

SOC operations

Scripting/automation

Security communications

Tools

Qualys

CrowdStrike

SIEM/EDR

Job description

Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst
DEFEND | Wellington or Auckland

Protect what matters. Hunt threats. Drive outcomes.

As a Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst at DEFEND, you'll be trusted to lead investigations, uncover emerging threats, reduce cyber risk, and help our customers strengthen their security posture. You'll work alongside some of New Zealand's most experienced cybersecurity professionals while shaping the future of managed security services for organisations across the country.

Why this role matters

You’llbe at the heart of protecting critical environments, translating complex risks into clear action, and turning insight into stronger, smarter security.

Whatyou’lldo

• Own end-to-end vulnerability management across infrastructure, endpoints, and applications
• Identify,prioritise, and communicate risk—from everyday exposures to zero-day threats
• Conduct proactive threat hunting using modern query languages (KQL, CQL)
• Investigate and respond to real-world security incidents across identity, endpoint, and network layers
• Automate security operations using Python, PowerShell, Bash, and/or emerging AI techniques
• Partner with stakeholders to drive remediation and risk reduction
• Deliver high-quality reporting and insights that influence decision-making
• Contribute to cloud security posture and hardening initiatives
• Continuously improve playbooks, processes, and detection capability

Whatyou’llbring

• Experience with vulnerability management platforms (e.g.Qualys, CrowdStrike)
• Solid grasp of riskprioritisationframeworks
• Hands-on threat hunting and security operationsexpertise
• Experience with SIEM, EDR, and modern security tooling
• Scripting/automation skills (Python, PowerShell, or AI)
• Confident communicator who can translate technical risk into business impact
• A mindset geared toward curiosity, ownership, and continuous improvement

What’sin it for you

• Work with a team that lives the DEFEND Way: Understanding, Partnership, Ownership, Guardianship, Excellence
• Deepen yourexpertisein large-scale risk and vulnerability management as well as automation
• Influence how modern cyberdefenceis delivered
• Clear pathways into senior engineering or leadership roles
• Be part of a culture that values excellence, growth, and innovation

The bottom line

Ifyou’rea cyber operator who thrives on solving complex problems, partnering with customers, and making a real impact, we want to hear from you.

Please note this is an on-site role at a customer premises in Auckland or Wellington.

About DEFEND:

Our dream at DEFEND is to improve everyday life by creating a cyber resilient world. Over the last few years, we've experienced phenomenal growth, working with a wide variety of customers and winning several industry awards, including Microsoft's Global Partner of theYear for 2025!

Why DEFEND?

We believe in investing in our employees’ growth and providing them with opportunities to advance their skills and careers. We offer a collaborative workplace culture, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where innovative thinking is encouraged.

By joining our innovative and creative team you will have the opportunity to contribute a variety of cybersecurity outcomes, from culture & awareness of cyber resilience, through to offensive & defensive security. No matter what your role, everyone at DEFEND contributes towards our dream ofcreating a cyber resilient world.

The benefits of working at DEFEND

In addition to workingfor a growing, dynamic NZcompany, DEFEND offers the following benefits to all ourDEFENDers

• 3.5%Kiwisaveron top of your base salary
• Southern Cross Health Insurance coverage
• Mobile and Broadband discounts for yourself and family
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• An allowance to contribute to your home office setup
• Access to EAP services to support youacross a range of wellbeing needs

Diversity & Inclusion:

At DEFEND, we celebrate a variety of perspectives and experiences. We know from experience that people from underrepresented groups often don’t apply for roles they don’t feel they meet all the criteria for. We’re committed to creating an environment that enables all our team to thrive. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t check every single box, please consider applying. We’d love to hear how you might contribute to the team and being our next DEFENDer.