Security Operations Lead

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Professional development opportunities

Career advancement

On-site presence in East London

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Security Operations Lead to manage and enhance the SOC in East London, Eastern Cape. The role requires hands-on leadership of SOC analysts, overseeing threat detection, incident response, and security monitoring to protect the organization’s digital assets.

You will develop SOC processes, refine playbooks, and ensure effective threat management while mentoring the team. The position is on-site in East London and demands strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in security operations, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Proven experience managing a SOC environment and leading security analysts.
• In-depth knowledge of SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, firewalls, and other security technologies.
• Strong incident response methodologies and threat analysis.
• Relevant certifications such as GIAC GCIH, CISSP, or CEH are highly desirable.
• Experience with threat intelligence platforms and cyber threat hunting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Security Operations Center (SOC) team and its operations.
• Oversee monitoring, detection, analysis, and response to security incidents.
• Develop, implement, and refine SOC processes, playbooks, and procedures.
• Manage and optimize security tools, including SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, and threat intelligence platforms.
• Ensure timely and effective resolution of security incidents, including post-incident analysis.
• Mentor and train SOC analysts, fostering their technical skills and professional development.
• Collaborate with other IT and security teams to enhance the overall security posture.
• Report on SOC performance metrics, incident trends, and security risks to management.
• Stay current with the latest threats, vulnerabilities, and security technologies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology

Tools

SIEM

IDS/IPS

EDR

Firewalls

Job description

About the Role

About the Role Our client is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Security Operations Lead to manage and enhance their security operations center (SOC) in East London, Eastern Cape . This leadership role is responsible for overseeing day-to-day SOC activities, including threat detection, incident response, and security monitoring. You will lead a team of SOC analysts, ensuring the effective protection of the organization's digital assets. This is a crucial position for maintaining a strong security posture and responding effectively to cyber threats. The role requires a hands-on leader with a deep understanding of security operations, tools, and processes. We are looking for an individual with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as strong leadership and communication capabilities. The position requires your physical presence at our office in East London, Eastern Cape , to ensure effective team management and operational oversight. Your expertise will be vital in safeguarding our client's information systems and data.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Security Operations Center (SOC) team and its operations.
• Oversee the monitoring, detection, analysis, and response to security incidents.
• Develop, implement, and refine SOC processes, playbooks, and procedures.
• Manage and optimize security tools, including SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, and threat intelligence platforms.
• Ensure timely and effective resolution of security incidents, including post-incident analysis.
• Mentor and train SOC analysts, fostering their technical skills and professional development.
• Collaborate with other IT and security teams to enhance the overall security posture.
• Report on SOC performance metrics, incident trends, and security risks to management.
• Stay current with the latest threats, vulnerabilities, and security technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in security operations or a related cybersecurity field, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Proven experience managing a SOC environment and leading security analysts.
• In-depth knowledge of SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, firewalls, and other security technologies.
• Strong understanding of incident response methodologies and threat analysis.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and make critical decisions.
• Relevant certifications such as GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), CISSP, or CEH are highly desirable.
• Experience with threat intelligence platforms and cyber threat hunting is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and ample opportunities for professional development and advanced training.
• This role provides the chance to lead a critical security function and make a significant impact at our East London, Eastern Cape location.
• Join a dedicated team committed to cybersecurity excellence.
• We offer a supportive work environment with opportunities for career advancement.
• Be part of an organization that values its employees and invests in their growth and well-being.
• This position requires on-site presence in East London, Eastern Cape .