Security Spec Sr

AEP; Columbus, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) seeks a Senior Security Specialist to manage physical security systems, compliance programs, and security reporting for enterprise operations. The role leads administration, audits, and performance tracking to ensure secure, compliant, and audit-ready security programs.

The candidate will collaborate with Physical Security, Cyber Security, IT, Operations, and Regulators to drive accountability and continuous improvement across a large enterprise security program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or equivalent with experience in security/IT
• Experience with physical security systems and regulatory requirements
• Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities

Responsibilities

• Configure and maintain security systems, access controls, and integrations
• Lead compliance activities and maintain audit-ready documentation
• Develop operational and regulatory reports and dashboards
• Track mitigation plans, maintenance, and corrective actions
• Support security assessments, site reviews, and incident follow-ups

Skills

Access control

Video surveillance

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Tools

Lenel OnGuard

SQL queries

SQL Server

Excel (Pivot Tables/Power Query)

Power BI

ServiceNow

Job description

Job Summary

American Electric Power (AEP) is seeking a Senior Security Specialist to support enterprise physical security systems, regulatory compliance programs, security reporting, and operational performance management.

This position serves as a technical and compliance lead for Physical Security, with responsibility for administering security technology platforms, managing compliance activities, maintaining regulatory documentation, supporting audits, tracking mitigation plans, overseeing preventive maintenance programs, and developing operational and compliance reporting.

The successful candidate will work closely with Physical Security, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Operations, Telecommunications, Regulatory Compliance, and external stakeholders to ensure security systems and programs remain secure, reliable, compliant, and audit-ready.

Job Description

The ideal candidate is a highly organized security professional who combines strong technical skills with compliance, reporting, and program management expertise. Success in this role requires the ability to manage regulatory obligations, maintain audit-ready documentation, administer security systems, track mitigation and maintenance activities, and transform complex data into meaningful operational and compliance reporting.

This role is well-suited for someone who enjoys owning processes, managing details, solving problems, and using data to drive accountability and continuous improvement across a large enterprise security program.

What you’ll do:

Essential Job Functions & Tasks

Physical Security Systems Administration

• Configure and maintain system settings, badge access levels, user accounts, roles, permissions, workflows, and integrations.
• Support system upgrades, testing, troubleshooting, patching, maintenance, and lifecycle management.
• Coordinate issue resolution and technical improvements with vendors, contractors, and internal partners.

Compliance, Audits, and Governance

• Lead annual reviews and updates of physical security policies, procedures, standards, and compliance documentation.
• Coordinate compliance activities associated with NERC CIP, MARSEC, FAA, TSA, FERC, and corporate security requirements, as applicable.
• Manage compliance evidence, audit records, corrective actions, mitigation plans, and regulatory deliverables.
• Support and participate in internal audits, external audits, assessments, site inspections, and regulatory reviews.
• Track audit findings, remediation activities, and compliance commitments through closure.

Reporting, Data Analysis, and Program Management

• Develop, maintain, and analyze operational, compliance, and management reports.
• Utilize advanced spreadsheet and reporting tools to analyze trends, track performance, and identify compliance risks.

Security Operations Support

• Manage tracking and reporting for preventive maintenance testing programs.
• Support physical security assessments, site reviews, commissioning activities, and operational readiness efforts.
• Lead tracking and follow‑up activities associated with physical security incidents, corrective actions, and mitigation plans.
• Support security technology projects, modernization initiatives, and process improvement efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ (security specialist assoc.), 5+ (security specialist), 7+ years (senior security specialist) of experience supporting physical security systems, compliance programs, security operations, or related technical environments.
• Experience with enterprise access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, and integrated security systems.
• Experience supporting regulatory compliance programs, audits, inspections, and corrective action management.
• Demonstrated experience developing procedures, standards, reports, and compliance documentation.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project coordination skills.
• Experience managing large volumes of operational, compliance, and performance data.

Technical Skills Preferred

• Lenel OnGuard administration experience preferred.
• SQL query development and report writing.
• Microsoft SQL Server experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, Power Query, dashboards, formulas, and data analysis.
• Power BI or similar reporting and visualization tools.
• Security system integrations and data interfaces.
• ServiceNow dashboard development skills.
• Maintain security metrics, maintenance records, compliance trackers, and executive reporting packages.
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity across security platforms and related systems.

What We're Looking For:

Education requirements are listed below:

• Bachelor's Degree; OR associate degree with 2 years of relevant experience in system administration, help desk, cybersecurity, or physical security; OR High School Diploma/GED with 3 years of relevant experience in IT system administration, help desk, cybersecurity, or physical security; OR Graduation from an approved Cybersecurity Program; OR Equivalent hands‑on technical experience demonstrated through assessment and technical evaluation.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• 2+ years of Information Technology related experience; OR 1+ years of security-related experience, which may include military or government service.

The ideal candidate is a technically skilled security professional who can balance day‑to‑day operational support with long‑term strategic improvements while ensuring reliable, secure, and compliant physical security services across the organization. For a Senior‑level opportunity, a target of 7+ years of applicable experience is strongly preferred.

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward‑thinking organization, this is the company for you!

Compensation

$87,633.00 - $109,543.00

Physical Demands

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.

Share

Details

“AEP offers an outstanding group of people to be a part of. The AEP culture values your integrity and awards your hard work.”

We are seeking a highly motivated Detection Engineer to join our Cybersecurity Intelligence and Defense team. The Detection Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, tuning, and maintaining threat detection capabilities across enterprise environments. This role works closely with Threat Intelligence Analysts, Threat Hunters, Incident Responders, and Security Operations Center (SOC) personnel to identify emerging threats and improve the organization’s ability to detect malicious activity.

Responsible for low level security assignments with direction from senior team members. Establish basic understanding of Security operations and processes, which may include research and investigation of security events or project related activities. Assesses security controls through security testing or other means to ensure effectiveness. Create documentation and work activities in a clear, comprehensive manner, always maintaining high quality work. Demonstrates problem solving, research, and functional area knowledge.

The Cybersecurity Manager - Advanced Threat Mitigation leads AEP's Advanced Threat Mitigation (ATM) team within the Intelligence & Defense organization. This team is responsible for enterprise cyber threat monitoring, detection engineering, incident response, threat hunting, and advanced cyber defense operations. The manager oversees a team of cybersecurity analysts, incident responders, detection engineers, and threat hunting professionals responsible for identifying, analyzing, containing, and mitigating cyber threats targeting AEP's information technology (IT), operational technology (OT), cloud, and business environments.The Advanced Threat Mitigation team serves as AEP's frontline cyber defense capability, leveraging security monitoring platforms, threat intelligence, advanced analytics, automation, and incident response processes to rapidly detect and respond to malicious activity. The Cybersecurity Manager is responsible for ensuring effective cyber threat detection, incident response coordination, threat hunting operations, and continuous enhancement of AEP's defensive capabilities against evolving cyber threats.This role provides strategic leadership for the development of advanced cyber defense capabilities, integrating threat intelligence, detection engineering, response automation, and operational analytics to reduce cyber risk and improve AEP's security posture. The position works closely with Cybersecurity Operations, Threat Intelligence, Vulnerability Management, Architecture, Digital Technology Services, OT Security, and business partners to safeguard critical systems and support AEP's mission of delivering safe, reliable energy.

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.