Department of Basic Education Deputy Director: Chief Information Security Officer Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

The Department of Basic Education is seeking a dedicated and experienced professional for the role of Deputy Director: Chief Information Security Officer. This senior position, based in Pretoria, is crucial for safeguarding the department's vital information technology assets and infrastructure.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive educational data across all platforms. This opportunity offers a chance to contribute significantly to national data security within the public sector, protecting systems against various threats and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Minimum Requirements

• NQF level 6 post-matric qualification in Information Technology/Information Systems or an equivalent qualification as recognised by SAQA.
• Four (4) years of relevant experience as an Assistant Director or equivalent.
• A minimum of two (2) certifications in any of the following: ITIL, COBIT, CISA, CISM, CISSP, CRISC, or ISO 27001.
• A minimum of at least five (5) years’ experience as a Chief Information Security Officer or Information Security Officer.
• Experience in managing networks.
• Sound knowledge of Enterprise or Technology architecture environments, strategic management, information and communication technology systems, and processes.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft environments, virtualised, and cloud environments.
• Sound knowledge of business continuity management.
• Sound knowledge of the E-government strategy and roadmap.
• Understanding organisational information flows and maintaining an inventory of data.
• Understanding the data classification framework and implementing controls in accordance with sensitivity levels.
• Vulnerability awareness through an understanding of vulnerability detection and management programs.
• Knowledge of Patching and Remediation SLAs and agreed-upon timelines for addressing security vulnerabilities.
• A valid driver's license.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, deploy, and maintain security controls to safeguard the Department’s infrastructure.
• Actively protect the Department’s information technology assets and infrastructure from external or internal threats.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements regarding information access, security, and privacy.
• Analyse problems and recommend solutions, products, and technologies to meet the Organisation’s security and information security objectives.
• Perform security assessments for all systems and applications.
• Check for compliance with cybersecurity standards and regulations in projects and new system design implementation.
• Develop and interpret the cybersecurity strategy and framework.
• Interpret cybersecurity maturity levels and implement road maps.
• Lead the implementation of best practice network security controls across cloud environments and On-premises platforms.
• Focus on the safe adoption of AI integration.
• Ensure sensitive information is identified and adequately protected through data protection and encryption measures.

What the Work Involves

As the Deputy Director: Chief Information Security Officer, you will be at the forefront of protecting the Department of Basic Education's digital assets. Your daily work will involve designing, configuring, and maintaining robust security controls across the department's IT infrastructure, including cloud and on-premises platforms. You will actively assess systems and applications for vulnerabilities, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards and government regulations.

A key part of the role involves developing and interpreting the department's cybersecurity strategy, leading initiatives for data protection, encryption, and the safe integration of artificial intelligence. You will operate within the department's Information and Management Systems team in Pretoria, contributing to the overall security posture of national education data.