Director Of Cyber SecurityJob Description

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Job Title: Director of Cybersecurity

Location: Hybrid/Remote (Major US Cities)

Type: Full-time

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Director of Cybersecurity to lead our enterprise security program and drive strategic initiatives. This senior leadership position will oversee all aspects of information security, including policy development, risk management, and incident response. The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with strong business acumen to protect our organization's digital assets while enabling business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and execute enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy and roadmap
  • Lead and mentor a team of security professionals across multiple disciplines
  • Manage security operations center (SOC) and incident response capabilities
  • Establish security policies, standards, and procedures aligned with industry frameworks
  • Oversee security architecture and technology implementation
  • Partner with executives to align security initiatives with business objectives
  • Direct security awareness and training programs
  • Manage relationships with security vendors and service providers
  • Monitor and report on security metrics and KPIs
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards

Perks:

  • Competitive salary and bonus structure
  • Comprehensive health and retirement benefits
  • Professional development and certification support
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Leadership development opportunities

Director Of Cyber Security Responsibilities

Hiring a director of cyber security? Here's what you can expect them to handle:

  • Define and implement enterprise security strategy and architecture
  • Build and lead high-performing security teams across multiple domains
  • Manage security budget and resource allocation
  • Develop security policies and governance frameworks
  • Oversee incident response and business continuity planning
  • Drive security automation and innovation initiatives
  • Report security metrics and status to executive leadership
  • Ensure regulatory compliance and risk management
Director Of Cyber Security Job Description

Qualifications to Be a Director Of Cyber Security

Here's what a solid candidate typically brings to the table:

CheckmarkBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field
CheckmarkMaster's degree preferred in Information Security or Business Administration
Checkmark10+ years of information security experience
Checkmark5+ years in security leadership roles
CheckmarkCISSP certification required

Director Of Cyber Security Prerequisites

Before you even think of hiring, make sure your candidates have:

CheckmarkCISM or CRISC certification preferred
CheckmarkExperience managing security teams of 10+ people
CheckmarkTrack record of implementing enterprise security programs
CheckmarkStrong understanding of security frameworks (NIST, ISO, etc.)
CheckmarkExcellent communication and presentation skills

Director Of Cyber Security Hard Skills

The “must-haves” on every recruiter's checklist:

CheckSecurity Architecture: Enterprise security design, Zero Trust
CheckRisk Management: Threat modeling, vulnerability assessment
CheckCloud Security: AWS, Azure, GCP implementation
CheckNetwork Security: Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs
CheckIdentity Management: IAM, PAM, MFA solutions
CheckSecurity Operations: SIEM, SOC management
CheckCompliance: PCI, HIPAA, SOX, GDPR
CheckIncident Response: Forensics, threat hunting

Director Of Cyber Security Soft Skills

Tech skills get them in the door—soft skills help them stick around.

CheckStrategic Leadership: Vision setting and execution
CheckCommunication: Executive presence and presentation
CheckTeam Management: Mentoring and development
CheckProblem Solving: Critical thinking and analysis
CheckStakeholder Management: Building relationships
CheckChange Management: Driving transformation
CheckBusiness Acumen: Budget and resource planning
CheckCrisis Management: Decision making under pressure

Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout Director Of Cyber Security Hiring

A Director typically reports to the CISO and focuses on operational execution, while a CISO operates at a more strategic level with broader organizational influence. Directors manage specific security domains and teams, while CISOs oversee enterprise-wide security strategy.

Use tabletop exercises and scenario-based interviews to evaluate their decision-making process and leadership during crises. Look for candidates who can articulate clear incident response frameworks and demonstrate past experience handling major security incidents.

While both are important, prioritize leadership experience and strategic thinking ability. Technical knowledge can be supplemented by team experts, but the ability to build and lead high-performing teams is crucial for success in this role.

During interviews, ask candidates to explain complex security concepts to different audiences. Request examples of board presentations and have them present a mock security briefing to assess their communication style and executive presence.

Watch for candidates who focus solely on technical solutions without considering business impact, lack experience managing large teams, or cannot provide concrete examples of developing and implementing security strategies. Also be wary of those who cannot articulate clear metrics for measuring security program effectiveness.

Tools and Programs Director Of Cyber Security Use

Here's what their digital toolbox might look like:

Security Platforms

SplunkQRadar

Cloud Security

CloudWatchAzure Security Center

Network Tools

CiscoPalo Alto

IAM Solutions

OktaAzure AD

SIEM/SOC

LogRhythmAlienVault

GRC Tools

ArcherServiceNow

Endpoint Security

CrowdStrikeCarbon Black

Vulnerability Management

QualysTenable

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