Cybersecurity Operations Specialist

Placements24; United States; Remote; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Remote work flexibility

Professional cybersecurity training

Comprehensive health benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a vigilant Cybersecurity Operations Specialist to join our security team, operating remotely with a primary focus on Welkom, Free State. You will monitor, detect, and respond to threats, analyze alerts, investigate incidents, and implement proactive protective measures on our client’s digital infrastructure.

The ideal candidate has 1–3 years in a SOC role, is familiar with SIEM/EDR, understands networks and OS fundamentals, and communicates clearly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in cybersecurity or related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in a cybersecurity operations role (SOC Analyst, Incident Responder, etc.).
• Familiarity with SIEM tools (Splunk, QRadar, ELK).
• Understanding of networks, Windows/Linux, and common attack methods.
• Experience with EDR solutions and strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work remotely with effective time management and communication.
• Certs like Security+ or CySA+ are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Monitor security alerts and events from SIEM, IDS/IPS, and EDR tools.
• Analyze incidents to determine scope, impact, and root cause.
• Respond to incidents per procedures, including containment and eradication.
• Perform threat hunting to identify advanced threats.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and support remediation.
• Maintain security playbooks and documentation.
• Collaborate with IT and security teams to resolve issues.
• Stay current with threats, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors.
• Assist in tuning monitoring tools and SOC capabilities.

Skills

SIEM monitoring

EDR

Networking concepts

Analytical reasoning

Remote work

Communication skills

Threat intelligence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity or related field

Tools

Splunk

QRadar

ELK Stack

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a vigilant and skilled Cybersecurity Operations Specialist to join their expanding security team, operating remotely with a primary focus on supporting operations in Welkom, Free State. This role is crucial for the continuous monitoring, detection, and response to security threats. You will be instrumental in protecting our client's digital infrastructure by analyzing security alerts, investigating potential incidents, and implementing immediate protective measures. The ideal candidate is proactive, possesses strong analytical skills, and has a solid understanding of cybersecurity threats and defensive tactics. This is a remote position, offering flexibility while ensuring critical security functions are maintained. You will be a key player in the front lines of defense for our client.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor security alerts and events from various security tools (SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, etc.).
• Analyze security incidents to determine scope, impact, and root cause.
• Respond to security incidents according to established procedures, including containment and eradication.
• Perform threat hunting activities to proactively identify advanced threats.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and support remediation efforts.
• Maintain and update security documentation, including playbooks and procedures.
• Collaborate with other IT and security teams to resolve security issues.
• Stay current with the latest cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors.
• Assist in the development and tuning of security monitoring tools and rules.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Security Operations Center (SOC) capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in a cybersecurity operations role (SOC Analyst, Incident Responder, etc.).
• Familiarity with SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk, QRadar, ELK Stack).
• Understanding of network protocols, operating systems (Windows, Linux), and common attack methods.
• Experience with endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of threat intelligence platforms and practices is a plus.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Security+, CySA+) are advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with potential for performance-based incentives.
• Remote work arrangement offering significant flexibility.
• Opportunities for professional growth and specialized cybersecurity training.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Access to cutting-edge security technologies and tools.
• Be a crucial part of our client's defense strategy, supporting operations in Welkom, Free State from anywhere.