Information Security Specialist - SOC Operations

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical benefits

Retirement benefits

Training opportunities

Advanced SOC tech exposure

Team-oriented environment

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 in Soweto, Gauteng, is seeking a vigilant Information Security Specialist focused on SOC operations to monitor, detect, and respond to security threats daily. You will analyze alerts from SIEM and other tools, investigate incidents, document findings, and coordinate with senior staff.

Requirements include a bachelor’s in IT/Cybersecurity, 1–3 years in a SOC, familiarity with Splunk/QRadar, and strong communication and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 1–3 years of SOC analyst or similar information security experience.
• Familiarity with SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk, QRadar) and network monitoring tools.
• CompTIA Security+ or equivalent certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor security alerts from SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection systems.
• Analyze security events to identify threats and anomalies.
• Investigate security incidents, determine scope and impact, and initiate response actions.
• Document security incidents and prepare detailed reports.
• Escalate critical incidents to senior security personnel or incident response teams.
• Assist in tuning and optimization of security monitoring tools.
• Contribute to SOC procedures and playbooks.
• Conduct threat hunting to identify security risks.
• Stay up-to-date with cybersecurity threats and trends.
• Support overall security operations and incident response functions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Documentation

Under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or Cybersecurity

Tools

Splunk

QRadar

Network monitoring tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a vigilant and detail-oriented Information Security Specialist with a focus on Security Operations Center (SOC) operations to join their growing security team in Soweto, Gauteng . This role is essential for the day-to-day monitoring, detection, and initial response to security threats and incidents. You will be at the forefront of protecting the organization's digital assets by analyzing security alerts, investigating suspicious activities, and coordinating incident response efforts. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of common cyber threats, security tools, and incident handling procedures. This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals passionate about cybersecurity and eager to gain hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced SOC environment. Your contributions will be vital in maintaining the security and integrity of our client's systems and data.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor security alerts from various sources, including SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection systems.
• Analyze security events to identify potential threats and anomalies.
• Investigate security incidents, determine scope and impact, and initiate appropriate response actions.
• Document security incidents and prepare detailed reports.
• Escalate critical incidents to senior security personnel or incident response teams.
• Assist in the tuning and optimization of security monitoring tools.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of SOC procedures and playbooks.
• Conduct threat hunting activities to proactively identify potential security risks.
• Stay up-to‑date with the latest cybersecurity threats and trends.
• Support the overall security operations and incident response functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in a SOC analyst role or similar information security function.
• Familiarity with SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk, QRadar) and network monitoring tools.
• Understanding of common cyberattack vectors and methodologies.
• Knowledge of operating system fundamentals (Windows, Linux).
• Ability to analyze log data and network traffic.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• CompTIA Security+ or equivalent certification is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Medical and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for training and professional development in cybersecurity.
• Exposure to advanced security technologies and SOC operations.
• Team‑oriented work environment.
• Stable and growing organization in Soweto, Gauteng .
• Potential for career advancement within the security team.