{"id":2184634,"url":"https://alion.io/job/absa-group-chief-information-security-officer","title":"Chief Information Security Officer","company":{"id":5669,"name":"Absa Group","domain":"absa.co.za","url":"https://alion.io/company/absa","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":93,"open_postings":8,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.5,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":6,"computed_at":"2026-10-20T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Security","role_family":"Security","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Randburg, South Africa"],"countries":["ZA"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":34000,"max_usd":81000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":269},"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-09T15:46:42Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-12","last_verified_at":"2026-10-20T18:26:36Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":11,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":11},"description":"Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.\nWith over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.\n\nBelonging at Absa\nAbsa is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. In support of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) commitments and Employment Equity objectives, preference may be given to candidates from underrepresented designated groups, including persons with disabilities. We encourage applicants who may require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process to let us know so that appropriate support can be provided.\n Job Summary\nThe Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is accountable for establishing, leading and continuously enhancing Absa's enterprise cyber security and information security capability.The role is responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the organisation's information assets, digital platforms, technology infrastructure and customer services. The CISO provides strategic leadership and executive oversight of cyber risk management, cyber defence, security operations, security engineering, cyber resilience, identity and access management, threat intelligence and regulatory compliance.\nAs a member of the Information & Technology Office (ITO) Executive Committee, the CISO works closely with business and technology leaders to ensure security is embedded into business strategy, technology transformation and operational decision-making. The role provides assurance to the Board, Executive Management, regulators, customers and stakeholders that Absa maintains an effective cyber security posture aligned to regulatory requirements, industry best practice and the organisation's risk appetite.\nThe CISO plays a critical role in enabling innovation and digital growth while ensuring appropriate protection against cyber threats, operational disruption, reputational damage and financial loss.\nJob Description\nStrategic Cyber Security Leadership\nDefine, maintain and execute Absa's enterprise-wide cyber security strategy and operating model.\nDevelop a multi-year cyber security roadmap aligned to business objectives, technology transformation initiatives and regulatory requirements.\nEstablish cyber security as a strategic business enabler that supports innovation, digital adoption and customer trust.\nProvide thought leadership on emerging cyber threats, industry trends and evolving regulatory requirements.\nAdvise Executive Committees, Risk Committees and the Board on cyber security strategy, risk and resilience.\nCyber Risk Management\nEstablish and oversee the enterprise cyber risk management framework.\nEnsure cyber risks are identified, assessed, quantified, prioritised and managed in alignment with the organisation's risk appetite.\nProvide regular reporting on cyber risk exposure to executive management and governance forums.\nEmbed cyber risk management practices into business processes, technology change programmes and strategic initiatives.\nEnsure effective management of third-party and supply chain cyber security risks.\nSecurity Operations and Cyber Defence\nLead and continuously enhance the Security Operations Centre (SOC).\nOversee cyber threat monitoring, threat hunting, detection and response capabilities.\nEnsure the effective identification, containment, investigation and remediation of cyber security incidents.\nMaintain executive oversight of cyber incident response processes and major cyber event management.\nDrive the adoption of intelligence-led cyber defence capabilities focused on proactive threat mitigation.\nCyber Resilience\nDevelop and maintain enterprise cyber resilience and recovery capabilities.\nEnsure appropriate cyber recovery strategies are implemented and regularly tested.\nPartner with technology, infrastructure and business stakeholders to strengthen operational resilience against cyber disruption.\nMaintain preparedness for significant cyber incidents through testing, simulation exercises and executive engagement.\nEnsure lessons learned from incidents and exercises are incorporated into continuous improvement initiatives.\nSecurity Architecture and Engineering\nEstablish enterprise security architecture principles, standards and patterns.\nEnsure security controls are embedded within cloud, application, infrastructure and data environments.\nDrive secure-by-design and secure-by-default practices across technology delivery teams.\nOversee the implementation and effectiveness of cyber security technologies and platforms.\nEnsure security requirements are integrated throughout the software development lifecycle.\nIdentity and Access Management\nEstablish and maintain enterprise identity and access management strategies.\nEnsure effective governance and control of privileged access.\nDrive the implementation of modern authentication, authorisation and identity security capabilities.\nEnsure access controls align to regulatory, operational and security requirements.\nRegulatory Compliance and Assurance\nEnsure compliance with all applicable cyber security regulations, industry standards and regulatory obligations.\nMaintain effective relationships with regulatory authorities on cyber security matters.\nOversee independent security assessments, penetration testing, audits and capability reviews.\nProvide executive assurance regarding the effectiveness of security controls and overall cyber security posture.\nEnsure timely remediation of identified vulnerabilities, risks and control deficiencies.\nSecurity Culture and Awareness\nDevelop and maintain a strong cyber security culture across the organisation.\nPromote accountability for cyber security at all levels of the business.\nDrive enterprise-wide security awareness and education programmes.\nEnsure employees understand their role in protecting information assets and customer data.\nPosition cyber security as a shared organisational responsibility.\nLeadership and People Management\nLead high-performing cyber security teams.\nEstablish a culture of accountability, innovation, excellence and continuous improvement.\nDevelop succession plans and talent strategies for critical cyber security roles.\nBuild and maintain a diverse pipeline of cyber security skills and leadership capabilities.\nFoster strong collaboration across technology, risk, compliance and business functions.\nExternal Representation\nRepresent Absa at industry forums, regulatory engagements and cyber security working groups.\nBuild strategic relationships with industry peers, regulators, cyber security organisations and relevant external stakeholders.\nPosition Absa as a recognised leader in cyber security and cyber resilience within the financial services sector.\nEducation and Experience Required\nEssential\nBachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Systems, Engineering or a related discipline.\n15 years of progressive experience in cyber security, information security, technology risk or related fields.\n8-10 years' leadership experience managing large-scale cyber security functions within a complex organisation.\nDemonstrated experience operating within highly regulated financial services or similarly regulated industries.\nProven experience engaging executive committees, boards and regulators on cyber security and technology risk matters.\nSignificant experience leading enterprise cyber transformation programmes.\nPreferred\nPostgraduate qualification in Technology, Cyber Security, Business Administration or a related field.\nMBA, MSc Information Security or equivalent advanced qualification.\nThis role offers location flexibility and can be based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Nairobi.\n Education\nBachelor's Degree: Information Technology","description_format":"text","description_chars":8090,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Wealth Management & Financial Advisors","Property & Casualty Insurance","Information Security","Investment Banking & M&A 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