Head of Information Security — Insurance & Investments

Job Summary

The Head of Information Security leads the organization's information-security function, protecting technology systems, applications, networks, data, and digital services against cyber threats and operational security risks.

Within Insurance & Investments, the role focuses on information-security governance, cyber risk, security operations, identity and access management, vulnerability management, incident response, third-party security, cloud/application security, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement the Information Security strategy, roadmap, policies, and standards.

Establish and maintain the organization's information-security governance framework.

Conduct enterprise-wide cybersecurity and information-security risk assessments.

Lead security operations, monitoring, threat detection, and incident response.

Oversee

Security Operations Center (SOC)

SIEM

Threat Intelligence

Vulnerability Management

Penetration Testing

Identity & Access Management (IAM)

Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Network Security

Endpoint Security

Cloud Security

Application Security

Data Security

Develop and maintain information-security policies, procedures, controls, and standards.

Manage security incidents, investigations, containment, remediation, and post-incident reviews.

Establish vulnerability-management and security-testing programs.

Ensure appropriate access controls, authentication, MFA, segregation of duties, and least-privilege practices.

Protect sensitive customer, policyholder, financial, investment, employee, and corporate data.

Partner with IT and technology teams to embed security into infrastructure, applications, cloud, APIs, and digital transformation projects.

Conduct security reviews of new systems, applications, vendors, and technology implementations.

Manage third-party/vendor cybersecurity risk and security due diligence.

Support business continuity, disaster recovery, and cyber-resilience programs.

Lead security awareness, employee training, phishing simulations, and cybersecurity culture initiatives.

Ensure compliance with applicable financial-services, privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements.

Coordinate internal/external security audits and remediation activities.

Develop security KPIs, KRIs, dashboards, and management reports.

Manage security vendors, managed security providers, budgets, and technology investments.

Lead, mentor, and develop information-security and cybersecurity teams.

Provide regular security-risk reporting to the CISO, CIO, executive management, Risk Committee, or Board, depending on organizational structure.

Insurance & Investments Security Focus

Insurance

Policyholder and customer information

Claims and underwriting systems

Insurance applications and portals

Payment systems

Customer identity and authentication

Actuarial and risk systems

Fraud-management platforms

Third-party insurance technology

Investments / Asset Management

Portfolio-management systems

Trading and investment platforms

Market and financial data

Investment research systems

Client/investor information

Custody and transaction systems

Wealth-management platforms

Investment APIs and third-party providers

Ideal Candidate Profile

10–15+ years of information security, cybersecurity, IT risk, or technology experience.

5+ years in information-security leadership.

Previous experience as

Head of Information Security

Head of Cybersecurity

Head of Cyber Security

Head of IT Security

Director of Information Security

Director of Cybersecurity

Information Security Director

Cybersecurity Director

VP Information Security

Information Security Manager

Senior Information Security Manager

Experience in Insurance, Banking, Investment Management, Asset Management, Wealth Management, or Financial Services preferred.

Strong knowledge of

Information-security governance

Cyber risk management

Security operations

Incident response

Vulnerability management

IAM/PAM

Cloud security

Application security

Network security

Data security

Security architecture

Third-party risk

Business continuity/cyber resilience

Familiarity with NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, COBIT, or equivalent frameworks.

Experience managing security teams and external security vendors.

Strong understanding of financial-services security and regulatory requirements.

Strong communication skills with IT, Risk, Compliance, Audit, Legal, and executive stakeholders.

Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CCSP are advantageous.