Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst

DEFEND; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Kiwisaver 3.5%

Health Insurance (Southern Cross)

Home office allowance

EAP services

Job summary

DEFEND is looking for a Senior Cybersecurity Operations Analyst in New Zealand, with Wellington or Auckland placement. You will lead investigations, hunt threats, reduce cyber risk, and help customers strengthen their security posture.

You’ll work with top NZ cybersecurity professionals and shape the future of managed security services nationwide. You’ll own end-to-end vulnerability management, communicate risk to stakeholders, and drive remediation initiatives while continually improving

Qualifications

• Experience with vulnerability management platforms (e.g.Qualys, CrowdStrike).
• Hands-on threat hunting and security operations expertise.
• Scripting/automation skills (Python, PowerShell, or AI).

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 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

Skills

Vulnerability management

Threat hunting

Security operations

Scripting/Automation

Communication

Tools

Qualys

CrowdStrike

SIEM

EDR

Job description

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.

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.

Requirements

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.

Benefits

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.

Ready to help shape the future of cybersecurity in New Zealand?