Cyber Security Operations Specialist

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Life insurance

provident fund

Learning & development

Hybrid work

Career progression

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a proactive Cyber Security Operations Specialist to monitor and protect OT and IT environments in a hybrid role based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will detect, analyze, and respond to threats in real time, working with SOC tools and security playbooks to minimize disruption.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in SOC, hands-on SIEM/EDR experience, strong log analysis, and familiarity with Windows/Linux, with excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, IT, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years in an SOC or similar security role.
• Hands-on with SIEM (Splunk, QRadar), EDR, and network security monitoring tools.
• Experience analyzing logs to detect malicious activity.
• Understanding of incident response methodologies and the cyber kill chain.
• Familiarity with Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; able to work in a team.
• Ability to work rotating shifts.

Responsibilities

• Monitor security alerts from SIEM, IDS/IPS, firewalls, and EDR.
• Analyze security incidents to determine scope, impact, and root cause.
• Execute incident response procedures: containment, eradication, recovery.
• Conduct threat hunting to identify advanced threats.
• Perform forensic analysis of security incidents.
• Develop and refine security playbooks and SOPs.
• Collaborate with security teams and IT staff to enhance posture.
• Generate reports on incidents and operational performance.
• Stay updated on threats, attack vectors, and defenses.

Skills

SOC experience

Threat analysis

Incident response

Log analysis

Analytical thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Rotating shifts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity/IT or related

Tools

Splunk

QRadar

EDR solutions

Network security monitoring tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent industrial conglomerate, is seeking a proactive Cyber Security Operations Specialist to join their dedicated security team. This role is central to the continuous monitoring and protection of their operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) environments. You will be responsible for detecting, analyzing, and responding to security threats in real-time, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of security operations center (SOC) functions and experience with various security tools. This is a hybrid role, offering a blend of remote flexibility and in-office collaboration within Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal .

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor security alerts from various sources, including SIEM, IDS/IPS, firewalls, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
• Analyze security incidents to determine scope, impact, and root cause.
• Execute incident response procedures, including containment, eradication, and recovery.
• Conduct threat hunting activities to proactively identify advanced threats.
• Perform forensic analysis of security incidents.
• Develop and refine security playbooks and standard operating procedures.
• Collaborate with other security teams and IT staff to enhance security posture.
• Generate regular reports on security incidents and operational performance.
• Stay updated on the latest cyber threats, attack vectors, and defensive measures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a security operations center (SOC) or similar security role.
• Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms (e.g., Splunk, QRadar), EDR solutions, and network security monitoring tools.
• Proficiency in analyzing log data and identifying malicious activities.
• Understanding of incident response methodologies and cyber kill chain.
• Familiarity with common operating systems (Windows, Linux) and network protocols.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work in a rotating shift schedule may be required.
• Relevant certifications like CompTIA Security+ or GIAC certifications are a plus.

Benefits

• competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, life insurance, and a provident fund.
• Employees have access to continuous learning and development programs, including training and certification support.
• This hybrid position offers a balance between remote work and essential in-office collaboration in the dynamic industrial hub of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal .
• Enjoy opportunities for career progression within a well-established organization.