Remote Lead Cybersecurity Analyst

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier remote salary

Private health insurance

Retirement fund contribution

Flexible working hours

Professional development allowances

Remote work autonomy

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Cybersecurity Analyst to spearhead security initiatives in a fully remote role, based anywhere in South Africa. You will lead a team of security professionals, shape robust strategies, and implement advanced defensive measures across the Banking & Finance sector.

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years of cybersecurity expertise, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of risk management, threat intelligence, and incident response.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or related field; Master's preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of cybersecurity experience with at least 2 years in leadership.
• Proven expertise in network, endpoint, cloud, and application security.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of cybersecurity analysts.
• Develop and execute comprehensive cybersecurity strategies and roadmaps.
• Oversee security technologies (firewalls, SIEM, IDS/IPS, endpoint protection).
• Conduct vulnerability assessments, pen tests, and security audits.
• Develop and manage incident response plans and lead during incidents.
• Monitor threat intelligence feeds and mitigate risks.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 27001, PCI DSS and security standards.
• Collaborate with IT to ensure secure configurations and deployments.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training for employees.

Skills

Leadership

Security strategy

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Cybersecurity

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

SIEM

Vulnerability scanning

IDS/IPS

Endpoint protection

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the financial services industry, is seeking an experienced Lead Cybersecurity Analyst to spearhead their security initiatives on a fully remote basis. This senior position is paramount in safeguarding our client's digital assets and sensitive customer data against evolving cyber threats. You will lead a team of security professionals, develop robust security strategies, and implement state-of-the‑art defensive measures. The ideal candidate possesses extensive expertise in cybersecurity, risk management, and threat intelligence, coupled with strong leadership capabilities. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact within the **Banking & Finance** sector while enjoying the autonomy and flexibility of remote work, based anywhere in **South Africa**.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of cybersecurity analysts, fostering a culture of security excellence.
• Develop and execute comprehensive cybersecurity strategies and roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee the implementation and management of security technologies, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM, and endpoint protection.
• Conduct regular vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security audits.
• Develop and manage incident response plans, leading the team during security incidents.
• Monitor threat intelligence feeds and proactively identify and mitigate potential risks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and security standards (e.g., ISO 27001, PCI DSS).
• Collaborate with IT infrastructure teams to ensure secure system configurations and deployments.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training programs for employees.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in cybersecurity, with at least 2 years in a leadership or team lead role.
• Proven expertise in network security, endpoint security, cloud security, and application security.
• Strong understanding of threat modeling, risk assessment, and incident response methodologies.
• Experience with SIEM tools, vulnerability scanning software, and intrusion detection systems.
• Relevant cybersecurity certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CEH are highly desirable.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively and independently in a remote environment.
• Deep knowledge of security best practices within the **Banking & Finance** sector.

Benefits

• Top-tier remote salary and performance incentives.
• Comprehensive private health insurance.
• Generous contribution to a retirement fund.
• Flexible working hours and remote work autonomy.
• Annual allowance for professional development and certifications.
• Exposure to challenging and high-stakes cybersecurity projects.
• Opportunity to lead and build a world-class security function from anywhere.
• Cutting-edge cybersecurity tools and resources.