Data Security Officer

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Career development

Certifications support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Data Security Officer in Upington to design and enforce data protection strategies for OT systems. The role requires handling data privacy, cyber risk, and regulatory compliance in a hybrid setup with on-site oversight.

You will lead incident response, monitor security logs, and collaborate with IT, legal, and compliance teams to safeguard sensitive information and ensure industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, information security, law, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in data security, information security, or compliance roles.
• In-depth knowledge of POPIA and GDPR.
• Experience with DLP tools and encryption technologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enforce data security policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Conduct regular data security risk assessments and identify vulnerabilities.
• Oversee DLP strategies and technologies.
• Monitor and analyze security logs for data exfiltration or breaches.
• Lead incident response for data breaches and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with POPIA and GDPR.
• Manage access controls and permissions to sensitive data.
• Provide training on data security best practices.
• Collaborate with IT, legal, and compliance teams.
• Stay updated on emerging data security threats and technologies.

Skills

Data security

Risk assessment

DLP tools

POPIA/GDPR

Incident response

Access control

Encryption

Security monitoring

Security audits

Stakeholder comms

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Info Security/Law

Tools

SIEM

DLP tools

Encryption tech

Access control systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent renewable energy company, is seeking a dedicated Data Security Officer to oversee and implement robust data protection strategies in Upington, Northern Cape. This role is critical in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive company and client data, particularly concerning operational technology (OT) systems. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of data privacy regulations, cybersecurity best practices, and risk management frameworks related to data security. You will be responsible for developing and enforcing data security policies, conducting risk assessments, managing data loss prevention (DLP) initiatives, and responding to data breaches. This is a vital role within a growing sector that handles significant amounts of sensitive information. Our client is committed to maintaining the highest standards of data privacy and security. We are looking for a proactive individual who can champion data security across the organization. The hybrid work model offers flexibility while ensuring essential on-site collaboration and oversight of critical infrastructure. Your expertise will be fundamental in protecting valuable data assets and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain data security policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Conduct regular data security risk assessments and identify potential vulnerabilities.
• Oversee data loss prevention (DLP) strategies and technologies.
• Monitor and analyze security logs for data exfiltration attempts or breaches.
• Lead incident response efforts for data breaches, including investigation and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations such as POPIA and GDPR.
• Manage access controls and permissions to sensitive data.
• Provide training and awareness programs on data security best practices.
• Collaborate with IT, legal, and compliance teams on data security matters.
• Stay updated on emerging data security threats and technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Law, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in data security, information security, or compliance roles.
• In-depth knowledge of data privacy laws and regulations (POPIA, GDPR).
• Proven experience with data loss prevention (DLP) tools and techniques.
• Strong understanding of encryption, access controls, and secure data handling practices.
• Experience in conducting security risk assessments and developing remediation plans.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Relevant certifications such as CIPP, CIPM, CISM, or CISSP are highly desirable.
• Experience in the energy or industrial sector is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and life insurance coverage.
• Generous paid vacation and sick leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and relevant certifications.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Hybrid work flexibility.
• Supportive team environment focused on innovation.