Senior Information Security Officer (ITS) jobs in United States
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University of Southern California · 15 hours ago

Senior Information Security Officer (ITS)

The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience and cyber risk management. The Senior Information Security Officer (ITS) will coordinate with university departments to enforce cybersecurity requirements and develop training programs to educate staff about cyber threats and best practices.

EducationHigher EducationUniversities
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Growth Opportunities
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H1B Sponsor Likelynote

Responsibilities

Assists in the development, implementation and maintenance of the department, school and/or unit cybersecurity standards and procedures
Participates in the setup and hardening of departmental information systems to protect against unauthorized access or attacks. Responsible for reviews of control effectiveness. Performs regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and recommends security measures accordingly
Assists in emergency procedures, in conjunction with relevant partners and existing cyber emergency plans, for handling security incidents, data breaches, and other critical situations. Assists in responding to security events, supporting incident response and contributing to investigations as required
Oversees training and awareness programs for department, school and/or unit staff to foster understanding and adherence to cybersecurity protocols. Maintains currency with latest trends, threats and best practices in cybersecurity. Maintains compliance with all relevant cybersecurity laws, regulations, and policies
Provides oversight and coaching to more junior staff for daily activities and responsibilities. Provides upward support and communication to management as required
Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics

Qualification

Cybersecurity landscape understandingInformation technology infrastructureSecurity auditsComplianceOperational Technology securityProfessional certificationsLeadership skillsProject management skillsAnalytical skillsEthical standardsCommunication skillsProblem-solving skills

Required

6 years of experience in IT, cybersecurity and leadership roles
A bachelor's degree or combined experience and education as substitute for minimum education
Comprehensive understanding of the cybersecurity landscape, including trends, risks, and best practices for risk management
Proficiency in information technology infrastructure and various cybersecurity tools and programs
Excellent capacity to communicate complex security matters to different audiences, from team members to executive leadership
Sound analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to make quick decisions in emergency situations
Experience with Operational Technology environments and security requirements needed to secure said environments
Experience with security audits and compliance with industry security standards and regulations
Experience leading teams and overseeing team member's work efforts with review and feedback
Experience with upward feedback/communication with leadership
Strong ethical standards and a solid understanding of privacy laws, confirming confidential information will be handled with integrity

Preferred

10 years of experience in IT, cybersecurity and management
Exceptional leadership skills, experience managing a cross-functional, high-performing team and collaborating with various departments within an organization
Excellent project management skills, with experience in planning, implementing, and overseeing security-related projects
Relevant professional certifications or working towards attainment (e.g., GCIH/GSEC, CISM, CISA, CISSP, CRISC)
Experience managing or coordinating across multiple departments or units
Strong knowledge of cybersecurity principles, awareness training, and communication strategies

Benefits

USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future.

Company

University of Southern California

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University of Southern California is a private research university offering opportunities for interdisciplinary study and collaboration.

H1B Sponsorship

University of Southern California has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (253)
2024 (239)
2023 (172)
2022 (207)
2021 (182)
2020 (195)

Funding

Current Stage
Late Stage
Total Funding
$19.64M
Key Investors
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research InstituteCalifornia Institute for Regenerative MedicineCDA Foundation
2025-02-04Grant· $10.8M
2025-01-30Grant· $5.93M
2024-07-30Grant

Leadership Team

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David A Barnhart
Director, USC Space Engineering Research Center
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Hossein Pourmand
Assistant Vice President, Research Initiatives, University Advancement
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Company data provided by crunchbase