Agency Description

The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) is the nation's fourth largest police department, with over 6300 sworn members and 800 civilian personnel. The PPD is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for serving Philadelphia County, extending over 140 square-miles in which approximately 1.5 million reside. Geographically, the Department is divided into twenty-one police districts (each headed by a captain), which comprise six police divisions (Northwest, Northeast, East, Central, Southwest, South - each headed by a Divisional Inspector), into two major sections of the city, Regional Operations Command North (ROC North) and Regional Operations Command South (ROC South), each headed by one Chief Inspector under Patrol Operations. Personnel are assigned to work in 55 different locations throughout Philadelphia, with Police Headquarters located in the 6th Police District, in Center City, at 400 North Broad Street.

Job Description

Position Overview:

The Information Security Officer plays a key role in protecting the Philadelphia Police Department's digital infrastructure, systems, and sensitive data. This mid-level position ensures confidentiality, integrity, and availability of law enforcement information across a complex ecosystem that includes dispatch systems, records management, digital evidence platforms, email communications, mobile devices, and cloud-hosted environments.

Working in collaboration with the Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT), cybersecurity teams, operational units, and legal personnel, the officer is responsible for enforcing policies, monitoring security controls, and responding to threats that could impact critical public safety operations. This role is vital in strengthening resilience and upholding trust in PPD's digital systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Cybersecurity Operations

• Participate with central OIT security team in the monitoring and response to security incidents across internal platforms, databases, and communication systems

• Conduct forensic reviews and support investigations into unauthorized access or data compromise

• In conjunction with the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center, maintain situational awareness of emerging threats through threat intelligence sharing and vendor collaboration

Access Management and Identity Security

• Administer role-based access across PPD platforms including RMS, CAD, HR systems, and surveillance databases

• Manage identity protocols including multi-factor authentication, credential issuance, and access logging

• Perform periodic audits to verify permissions, detect anomalies, and support compliance

Security Policy and Compliance

• Enforce internal security policies aligned with CJIS, HIPAA, FERPA, and the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law

• Participate in audits and collaborate with compliance teams to meet legal and regulatory obligations

• Assist in drafting and updating departmental security guidelines

• Participate in OIT security reviews of new PPD systems being implemented.

System Hardening and Risk Mitigation

• Identify vulnerabilities across on-premises and cloud-based applications and recommend remediations

• Collaborate with technical teams to implement firewall rules, antivirus protections, and data encryption

• Maintain documentation of patch cycles, Business Continuity, disaster recovery testing, and system redundancies

• Ensure compliance with SDLC standards

Staff Training and Cyber Awareness

• Provide cyber hygiene education to sworn and civilian personnel

• Deliver briefings on phishing, ransomware, and data handling risks

• Create training materials that align with departmental policies and technology platforms

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Develop dashboards to track security metrics, incident response times, and audit findings

• Present monthly updates to the Police IT Director outlining security posture and improvements

• Recommend upgrades, procedural changes, or staffing adjustments based on risk assessments

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or related discipline (Security+, CISM, CISSP preferred)
• At least four years of experience in information security roles within law enforcement, government, or large enterprise environments

• Familiarity with security principles across networks, applications, mobile devices, and cloud platforms

• Knowledge of public sector cybersecurity frameworks and risk management practices

• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and communication skills

Why This Position is Critical to Public Safety:

The Information Security Officer ensures that the Philadelphia Police Department's systems are not just functional-but fortified. From safeguarding investigative data to maintaining the integrity of command communications, this role reinforces the backbone of public safety infrastructure. It's where vigilance meets precision, and where operational trust begins.

Additional Information

TO APPLY:Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, writing sample, and resume.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA's Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.