Information Security Specialist

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive medical and dental care

Retirement savings plan

Annual performance bonuses

Professional development and certs

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is seeking an Information Security Specialist to bolster security defenses across IT and OT systems. The role is on-site in a critical industrial environment and requires hands-on expertise in security controls, incident response, and safeguarding digital assets.

You will implement and maintain security measures, conduct assessments and tests, train staff, and collaborate with IT and engineering teams to embed security into design and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Cybersecurity or 3–5 years of equivalent work experience.
• 3–5 years in information security with OT/ICS exposure preferred.
• Hands-on with SIEM, firewalls, scanners, and endpoint protection.
• Knowledge of NIST CSF and cybersecurity principles.
• Strong analytical and teamwork skills.
• Excellent communication abilities for cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage security controls for IT and OT systems, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and antivirus solutions.
• Conduct regular security assessments, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing.
• Monitor security alerts and logs, investigate potential security incidents, and implement effective response measures.
• Develop and maintain security policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Provide security awareness training to employees.
• Collaborate with IT and engineering teams to ensure security is integrated into system design and deployment.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards.
• Stay updated on emerging cybersecurity threats and technologies relevant to the industrial sector.
• Participate in security audits and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

SIEM

Firewalls

Vulnerability scanning

Endpoint protection

ICS/OT security

NIST framework

Incident response

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Cybersecurity

Tools

SIEM platforms

Vulnerability scanners

Endpoint protection software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the petrochemical industry located in **Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA**, is seeking a dedicated Information Security Specialist to bolster their security defenses. This role is critical for protecting sensitive operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) systems from cyber threats. You will be instrumental in implementing and maintaining robust security measures, responding to incidents, and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our client's digital assets. The position requires a hands-on approach and a deep understanding of both IT and OT security landscapes. This is an on-site role, offering the opportunity to work within a critical industrial environment. We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented professional who is passionate about cybersecurity and committed to maintaining a secure operational environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and manage security controls for IT and OT systems, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and antivirus solutions.
• Conduct regular security assessments, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing.
• Monitor security alerts and logs, investigate potential security incidents, and implement effective response measures.
• Develop and maintain security policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Provide security awareness training to employees.
• Collaborate with IT and engineering teams to ensure security is integrated into system design and deployment.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards.
• Stay updated on emerging cybersecurity threats and technologies relevant to the industrial sector.
• Participate in security audits and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in information security, with exposure to industrial control systems (ICS) or operational technology (OT) security being a strong advantage.
• Hands-on experience with security tools such as SIEM, firewalls, vulnerability scanners, and endpoint protection.
• Understanding of network protocols, operating systems, and cybersecurity principles.
• Knowledge of security frameworks like NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, on-site environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Annual performance bonuses.
• Opportunities for professional development and certifications.
• Work within a critical industrial sector.