Lead, Cyber Security Operations

Prudential Annuities Distributors (PAD); The Ironbound (NJ); On-site; USD 124,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Prudential Annuities Distributors (PAD) is seeking a Lead in the Cyber Security Operations Center to guide triage, escalation, and initial threat assessment for Prudential Financial. You will work with a cross‑functional group to strengthen defense capabilities through data‑driven insights, automation, and orchestration.

You will mentor analysts, drive runbook improvements, and stay current on evolving threats and attack methods to safeguard the enterprise across global operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a cybersecurity role with at least 2 years in security operations.
• Strong knowledge of security event handling, detection methodologies, and SOC operations.
• Experience with enterprise technologies including OS, networking devices, identity/access management, and cloud/SaaS.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., GIAC GCIH, GSOC, GCFA, GNFA) are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide shift-level operational leadership, monitoring active security events and evolving threats.
• Coordinate and optimize alert intake, triage, and prioritization with defined SLAs.
• Lead security event escalation with validated context before engaging downstream teams.
• Drive continuous improvement of runbooks, SOPs, and automation.
• Continuously build technical expertise on threats and trends to enhance defenses.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity and IT professionals and business stakeholders to implement improvements.
• Mentor junior analysts by reviewing work and sharing best practices.

Skills

SOC operations

Security event handling

Threat detection

SIEM/SOAR/XDR

Cloud/SaaS

IAM & networking

Analytical thinking

Certifications (GIAC GCIH/GSOC/GCFA/GN

Tools

SIEM

SOAR

XDR/EDR

IDS/IPS

Job description

Job Classification:Technology - Information SecurityAre you interested in using capabilities that enable the organization to operate with innovation, speed, agility, scalability, and efficiency? The Global Technology team takes great pride in our culture where digital transformation is built into our DNA! When you join our organization at Prudential, you’ll unlock an exciting and impactful career – all while growing your skills and advancing your profession at one of the world’s leading financial services institutions.Your Team and RoleAs a Lead in the Cyber Security Operations Center, you will play a key role in securing the enterprise and advancing the maturity of Prudential’s Cyber Defense & Response organization. Working with a high degree of independence, you will be responsible for managing triage, event handling, and initial threat assessment operations to safeguard the Prudential Financial enterprise.In this role, you will collaborate with stakeholders across the Cyber Defense and Response organization to strengthen team capabilities through data-driven insights, automation, and orchestration. Your expertise and observations will directly contribute to enhancing secure architecture and advancing global cyber resiliency across the enterprise.Here is What You Can Expect on a Typical Day : Provide shift-level operational leadership, maintaining awareness of active security events and emerging threats, while dynamically adjusting resources to meet business risk and operational demands.Coordinate and optimize alert intake, triage, and prioritization, ensuring that alerts are acknowledged and processed within defined SLAsLead and coordinate security event escalation activities by validating all proposed escalations to ensure accurate, appropriately prioritized, and supported by sufficient analytical context before engaging downstream teams. Maintain event handling quality control and documentation standards, ensuring all events are accurately recorded, tracked, and handled consistently.Drive continuous improvement of event handling runbooks, SOPs, and operational processes to identify gaps, reduce inefficiencies, enhance operations, and advance automation.Continuously build technical expertise and stay current on threats, attack methods, and industry trends to enhance the organization's capability.Professionally communicate and collaborate with other cybersecurity and IT professionals, as well as business stakeholders, to coordinate responses and implement security improvements and risk burndown.Mentor junior analysts by reviewing their work, sharing best practices, and helping them strengthen analytical and reporting skills.The Skills & Expertise You Bring5+ years of experience in a cybersecurity-focused role with at least 2 years in security operationsStrong knowledge of security event handling processes, detection methodologies, and SOC operations.Strong understanding of enterprise technologies including operating systems, networking appliances, identity access management, and cloud/SaaS platforms.Hands-on experience with SIEM, SOAR, XDR/EDR, IDS/IPS, and other security tools.Ability to analyze security data across networks, systems, and applications to identify anomalies, validate alerts, and distinguish real threats from false positives.Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.Ability to learn new skills and knowledge on an ongoing basis through self-initiative and tackling challenges.Analytical thinking: The ability to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable components to identify threats, understand attack patterns, and pinpoint root causes.Experience working in Agile or iterative environments.Time management and prioritization: The ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize critical incidents over low-priority alerts, and streamline work in a fast-paced environment.Ability to effectively leverage diverse ideas, experiences, thoughts, and perspectives to the benefit of the organizationExperience driving automation and orchestration efforts to improve efficiency.Relevant certifications (e.g., GIAC GCIH, GSOC, GCFA, GNFA) are a plus.What we offer you:Prudential is required by state specific laws to include the salary range for this role when hiring a resident in applicable locations. The salary range for this role is from $123,700.00 to $204,100.00. Specific pricing for the role may vary within the above range based on many factors including geographic location, candidate experience, and skills.Market competitive base salaries, with a yearly bonus potential at every level.Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), and leave of absences, such as parental and military leave.401(k) plan with company match (up to 4%).Company-funded pension plan.Wellness Programs including up to $1,600 a year for reimbursement of items purchased to support personal wellbeing needs.Work/Life Resources to help support topics such as parenting, housing, senior care, finances, pets, legal matters, education, emotional and mental health, and career development.Education Benefit to help finance traditional college enrollment toward obtaining an approved degree and many accredited certificate programs.Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Shares can be purchased at 85% of the lower of two prices (Beginning or End of the purchase period).Eligibility to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance. To find out more about our Total Rewards package, visit Work Life Balance | Prudential Careers. Some of the above benefits may not apply to part-time employees scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week.Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated with Prudential plc. which is headquartered in the United Kingdom.Prudential is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, marital status, age, veteran status, domestic partner status, medical condition or any other characteristic protected by law.If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please email [e-mail] you are experiencing a technical issue with your application or an assessment, please email [e-mail] to request assistance.