Information Security Architect

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous leave & time off

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement plan with employer matching

Career growth opportunities

Access to latest security technologies

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Information Security Architect to lead security design and implementation in George, Western Cape. You will shape secure, scalable infrastructure, align security with business goals, and guide development teams across the software development lifecycle.

The role requires a hands-on security architect with cloud experience (AWS/Azure), familiarity with ISO 27001/NIST CSF/SOC 2, and a track record of effective stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field.
• 8+ years of information security experience, with 4+ years in security architecture.
• Deep knowledge of network, application, data security and IAM.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain comprehensive information security architectures and roadmaps.
• Evaluate and select security technologies to meet organizational needs.
• Define security requirements and best practices for new deployments.
• Collaborate with engineering, development, and operations to embed security in projects.
• Develop and maintain security policies, standards, and guidelines.
• Conduct security reviews of architecture proposals and designs.
• Lead cloud security standards for AWS, Azure, and other environments.
• Research emerging threats and inform architectural decisions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to security and IT staff.
• Ensure architecture compliance with regulations and internal policies.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Leadership capability

Stakeholder influence

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science/Information Security

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a rapidly growing financial services organization seeking an experienced Information Security Architect to lead the design and implementation of their security infrastructure in George, Western Cape . This pivotal role demands a visionary leader capable of architecting secure, resilient, and scalable security solutions that align with business objectives and regulatory requirements. The Information Security Architect will be responsible for defining security strategies, establishing security standards, and guiding development teams to integrate security into the entire software development lifecycle. This is an opportunity to shape the future of cybersecurity within a forward-thinking company. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to security architecture, someone who can translate complex security needs into practical, actionable plans. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of modern threats and a passion for building robust defenses.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop comprehensive information security architectures and roadmaps.
• Evaluate and select security technologies and solutions to meet organizational needs.
• Define security requirements and best practices for new system deployments and upgrades.
• Collaborate with engineering, development, and operations teams to ensure security is embedded in all projects.
• Develop and maintain security policies, standards, and guidelines.
• Conduct security reviews of architecture proposals and system designs.
• Lead the development of security standards for cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure).
• Research emerging security threats and technologies to inform architectural decisions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to security and IT staff.
• Ensure architecture compliance with industry regulations and internal policies.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related technical field.
• More than 8 years of experience in information security, with at least 4 years in a security architecture role.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing security solutions for complex enterprise environments.
• Deep understanding of network security, application security, cryptography, identity and access management (IAM), and data security.
• Proven experience with cloud security architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Familiarity with various security frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST CSF, SOC 2).
• Excellent understanding of secure coding practices and SDLC.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP-Architecture, TOGAF, or cloud-specific security architect certifications are highly preferred.
• Experience with threat modeling and risk assessment methodologies.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Generous leave allowance and paid time off.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including dental and optical.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and professional growth.
• Access to the latest security technologies and training programs.
• A culture that values innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being.