Senior IT Security Analyst

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Hybrid work environment

Career development and certifications

Generous pension plan contributions

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a Senior IT Security Analyst for our financial services client. You will monitor security systems, investigate incidents, and drive threat containment with SIEM/EDR tools, while aligning with ISO/NIST/PCI standards.

This role requires strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to work under pressure in a hybrid work setup. You will collaborate with IT teams to strengthen security controls, perform vulnerability assessments, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in IT security, cybersecurity operations, or a related role.
• Strong knowledge of security principles, network security, and common attack vectors.
• Hands-on experience with SIEM (Splunk, QRadar), EDR, firewalls, and vulnerability scanners.
• Proficiency in analyzing security logs and investigating incidents.
• Familiarity with ISO 27001, NIST, PCI DSS.
• Certifications such as CISSP, CEH, Security+ are desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor security alerts and logs from SIEM, IDS/IPS, and EDR systems.
• Investigate security incidents, perform forensic analysis, and recommend containment actions.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.
• Develop and implement security policies, procedures, and controls.
• Manage security technologies including firewalls, antivirus, and VPNs.
• Perform regular security audits and compliance checks.
• Stay updated on threats and security trends.
• Collaborate with IT to enforce security best practices across the infrastructure.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training for employees.
• Participate in incident response planning and execution.
• Provide recommendations to improve overall security posture.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Information Security or related field

Tools

EDR

Firewalls

Vulnerability scanners

Splunk

QRadar

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a financial services institution, is seeking a highly skilled and analytical Senior IT Security Analyst to join their expanding security operations team in Pretoria, Gauteng . This pivotal role will involve safeguarding the organization's digital assets by monitoring security systems, investigating threats, and implementing robust security measures. You will work with advanced security tools and technologies to detect and respond to cyber threats, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices. The position offers a hybrid work model, blending the benefits of in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. We are looking for a proactive individual with a strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively under pressure. You will play a key role in maintaining the security posture of the organization and contribute to the development of proactive security strategies. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a critical function within a reputable financial institution.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor security alerts and logs from various security systems (SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR).
• Investigate security incidents, perform forensic analysis, and recommend containment and eradication actions.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.
• Develop and implement security policies, procedures, and controls.
• Manage and maintain security technologies, including firewalls, antivirus, and VPNs.
• Perform regular security audits and compliance checks.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity threats, trends, and technologies.
• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure security best practices are implemented across the infrastructure.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training to employees.
• Participate in incident response planning and execution.
• Provide recommendations for improving the overall security posture of the organization.
• Respond to security-related inquiries and incidents from various stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in IT security, cybersecurity operations, or a related role.
• Strong knowledge of security principles, network security, and common attack vectors.
• Hands-on experience with security tools such as SIEM (e.g., Splunk, QRadar), EDR, firewalls, and vulnerability scanners.
• Proficiency in analyzing security logs and investigating incidents.
• Understanding of security frameworks and compliance standards (e.g., ISO 2701 0, NIST, PCI DSS).
• Relevant security certifications such as CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+ are highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently.
• Experience in the financial services sector is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus.
• Hybrid work environment offering flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous pension plan contributions.
• Opportunities for professional development, certifications, and conferences.
• Access to advanced security tools and technologies.
• Paid time off and public holidays.
• Employee assistance program for support services.
• Career advancement opportunities within the security team.
• Dynamic and collaborative work environment.