Security Operations Engineer

• Be part of significant incidents & contribute actively to drive cyber resilience
• Several openings in either Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch
• Hybrid roles: A mix of in-person attendance and work from home on a weekly basis.

Requirements

About the Role:

Join our dynamic team as a Security Operations Engineer in our thriving MSSP environment. Here, you'll immerse yourself in tackling varied threats using a diverse array of tools, all while managing a broad scope of incidents across multiple customers. Your primary responsibility will be to enhance our customers' cyber resilience by performing advanced analysis and delivering comprehensive incident lifecycle management. As a pivotal member of our team, you'll provide expert analysis, lead incident responses, and ensure the implementation of best-practice standards across diverse customer environments.

We provide a hybrid work experience that combines the benefits of collaborating with colleagues at our offices in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, along with the flexibility of working from home.

Key Responsibilities:

Incident Response:

• Lead the response for security incidents, including in-depth analysis and managing the entire incident lifecycle from detection to resolution and root cause analysis.
• Provide expert analysis and interpretation of complex security events and alerts.
• Perform threat hunting activities and remediate customer requirements.
• Conduct post-incident reviews to identify lessons learned and recommend improvements.

Service Improvements:

• Proactively research the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and technologies to inform service improvements.

• Develop and refine incident response playbooks and procedures.

• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities to enhance the efficiency of security operations.

Team Collaboration and Development:

• Mentor and support team members, providing guidance on advanced analysis techniques and incident handling.
• Lead knowledge-sharing sessions and technical training workshops.
• Foster a collaborative environment encouraging open communication and teamwork.

SIGNS OF SUCCESS:

You'll bring passion and a strong commitment to excellence. Your diverse experience, personal qualities, and unwavering enthusiasm will be invaluable contributions to our team.

Skills We Can’t Do Without:

• Solid understanding of cybersecurity concepts with the ability to apply them to real-world scenarios,
• Familiarity with Cloud platforms (primarily Microsoft Azure) and the Microsoft Security Stack (Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel, etc.),
• Experience with security tools and platforms such as EDR, CASB, NGFW, Email Security, UEBA, and SIEM/SOAR platforms,
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in IT operations within areas such as Incident Response, Tier 1/2 technical support, or a SOC,
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Critical thinking and time management skills,
• A team player who contributes positively within a team environment, you’ll feel at ease mentoring junior staff.

Skills we’d like/nice to have:

• Proficiency in building detection rules for newly emerging threats using hunting query languages (KQL, YARA-L, etc.),
• Competence in building dashboards for logs visualisation,
• Capability in building automations for incident enrichment and response,
• Understanding of malware analysis tools and techniques
• Experience in Infrastructure as Code platform (any of the following: ARM templates, Bicep, Terraform).

Benefits

About DEFEND:

We're a business-centric cybersecurity organisation founded by a team of passionate cybersecurity experts whose mission is to - BUILD A CYBER RESILIENT WORLD. Over the last five years, we've experienced phenomenal growth, working with a wide variety of customers in New Zealand and across 66 countries and winning several industry awards, including Microsoft's 2022 New Zealand Partner of the year!

Each customer we work with is different. Our dedicated approach is to help organisations progress on their cyber resilience journey by delivering outstanding industry services with the highest level of professionalism and care.

We hold ourselves accountable by our core values. Our People First culture sets us apart, and we believe working with DEFEND will be a time in your life you will look back on and truly believe you made a real difference.

What’s great about working for DEFEND?

By joining our innovative and creative team you will have the opportunity to contribute a variety of cybersecurity outcomes, from culture & awareness of cyber resilience, through to offensive & defensive security, developing yourself in technology and digital delivery across multiple sectors.

Work life balance:

• With a national focus throughout New Zealand, our team is made up of skilled individuals at different stages in their careers, therefore we can offer flexibility in base location, as well as embracing remote working
• Flexible working arrangements are available to suit your lifestyle

Career / Professional Development:

We will build on your learning to solve our customers most complex business challenges in the digital age, whilst developing commercial and business skills, along with:

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way
• Mentors: You’ll be joining a team of truly passionate and highly skilled individuals who are at the top of their game and who enjoy imparting their knowledge and experience to others
• Opportunity: Progress into other exciting roles across DEFEND

Diversity & Inclusion:

We’re committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our goal is to be recognised as an employer of choice for all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, generation, flexible work status, family circumstances, sexual orientation, or disability. Each addition to our team is an opportunity to grow and diversify our ideas, experiences, and viewpoints.

Privacy:

By submitting your job application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the privacy statement below and agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information.