Deputy Chief Information Security Officer - #270015

Western Carolina University

$110K — $130K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or related field.
  • 5+ years in information security functions.
  • Experience leading complex security initiatives.
  • Knowledge of systems administration and networking.
  • Strong communication skills, both technical and non-technical.
  • CISSP certification required within 18 months if not currently held.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct technology risk assessments across university systems.
  • Coordinate audit preparations and responses.
  • Maintain compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks.
  • Implement human risk programs, such as phishing simulations.
  • Develop security policies and frameworks aligned to industry standards.
  • Inform IT organization prioritization through risk assessment.

Benefits

  • On-site position located in Cullowhee, NC.
  • Participate in various professional development opportunities.
  • Work within a collaborative, university-focused environment.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
EHRA1117P

Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35162

Classification Title
Deputy Chief Security Information Officer

Working Title
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer - #270015

Department
IT Security Office

Anticipated Hiring Range
Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (Deputy CISO) reports to the Chief Information Security & Privacy Officer. The position provides senior operational and program leadership for the IT Security Office and serves as the principal delegate for assigned security matters. The Deputy CISO translates institutional security and privacy priorities into coordinated operations, supports continuity of leadership, and works across the Division of IT and the university to reduce technology risk.

The position leads or coordinates security governance, risk assessment, regulatory and standards compliance, security awareness, security operations oversight, and security review of technology projects and third-party services. The Deputy CISO advises technical and non-technical stakeholders, documents risk-based recommendations, tracks corrective actions, and escalates significant risks and incidents to the CISPO.

Description of Work
  • Technology risk assessments across university systems, business units, and third parties. This includes maintaining the enterprise risk register, developing assessment methodologies, and ensuring risks are documented with accountable owners and remediation plans.
  • Audit preparation and response, including internal audit engagements, external audits, and reviews conducted by the Office of the State Auditor. The Deputy CISO serves as the primary coordinator for audit evidence, response, and remediation tracking.
  • Regulatory compliance across the frameworks that apply to the university, including the FTC Safeguards Rule (GLBA), FERPA, UNC System policies, and applicable state and federal requirements. The Deputy CISO maintains the compliance mapping and reporting cadence.
  • The human risk program, including phishing simulations, security awareness training, and security communications to the university community.
  • The technology risk governance framework, including the development and maintenance of information security policies, standards, and control frameworks aligned to recognized industry frameworks such as NIST CSF and CIS Controls.
  • The Deputy CISO's work directly informs prioritization for the broader technology organization. The risk view produced by the function drives remediation sequencing, planning priorities, and investment decisions across IT.


Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Security leadership and operational judgment
  • Governance, risk, compliance, and control assessment
  • Incident coordination and decision support
  • Policy and procedure development
  • Third-party, software, and project security review
  • Clear executive, technical, and campus communication
  • Collaboration, consultation, and customer service
  • Planning, prioritization, documentation, and accountability


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, information systems, business analytics, or a related field.
  • Five years of progressively responsible experience across multiple information security functions, such as governance, risk, compliance, security operations, incident response, identity and access management, infrastructure security, or third-party risk.
  • Demonstrated experience coordinating complex security initiatives across technical teams and business units.
  • Working knowledge of networking, systems administration, endpoint security, identity and access control, cloud or hosted services, vulnerability management, and incident response practices.
  • Experience developing or implementing security policies, risk assessments, control documentation, audit responses, or remediation plans.
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts and risk in non-technical terms.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage concurrent priorities with appropriate attention to detail.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain CISSP certification within eighteen months of appointment if not already certified.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in cybersecurity, information systems, business administration, or a related field.
  • More than seven years of progressively responsible information security experience, including program or team leadership.
  • Current CISSP certification; additional relevant certification such as CISM, CRISC, GIAC, or a privacy credential.
  • Experience in higher education, government, or another complex regulated environment.
  • Experience with ISO 27002, ISO 27701, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NIST security controls, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GLBA, or comparable requirements.
  • Experience supporting security incidents, audits, executive briefings, third-party risk assessments, and risk-register governance.


Position Type
Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week
40

Number of Months Per Year
12

Posting Text

Open Date
08/24/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

In order to complete the application, applicants must include:
• a cover letter addressing qualifications as related to the job requirements
• a current resume
• a list of three recent (within past five years) professional references which include name, title, email, and relationship

For questions or additional information please contact [email protected]

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