George Mason University · 3 hours ago
IT Security Architect
Fairfax, VA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior LevelGeorge Mason University is a diverse institution seeking an IT Security Architect to design and maintain a robust security architecture to protect its digital assets. This role involves developing security frameworks, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while safeguarding the university's information systems against cyber threats.
Education
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain enterprise-wide security architecture aligned with business and technology goals
Create security roadmaps, models, standards, and procedures for cloud and on-premise environments; and
Define baseline configurations and secure design patterns for systems and networks
Conduct security reviews and threat modeling for applications and infrastructure
Validate security configurations and recommend improvements; and
Support internal audits and compliance with regulatory frameworks (e.g., NIST, HIPAA, FERPA)
Liaise with other IT Architects, Enterprise Cybersecurity, ITS, and University community to ensure secure practices
Participate in project planning to integrate security requirements; and
Coordinate with system owners and architects to allocate and implement security controls
Evaluate and recommend security tools and services based on technical and financial metrics
Support secure deployment of applications and infrastructure, including cloud services; and
Stay current with emerging threats and technologies
Draft and maintain security policies, procedures, and standards; and
Document data flows and security requirements across systems and services
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience
Hands-on experience with security infrastructure (e.g., firewalls, SIEM, endpoint protection)
Experience with threat modeling and risk assessments
Experience securing cloud and on-premise environments
Experience with IAM technologies (e.g., Active Directory, AWS IAM, Okta)
Knowledge: Enterprise security architecture principles (e.g., SABSA, TOGAF, NIST CSF)
Knowledge: Security technologies (e.g., firewalls, SIEM, IAM, endpoint protection)
Knowledge: Regulatory and compliance frameworks (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA, ISO 27001)
Knowledge: Cloud and on-premise infrastructure security
Knowledge: Working knowledge of IT service management practices (e.g., change, incident, asset management)
Knowledge: Familiarity with IT infrastructure components (e.g., OS, networks, databases, containers)
Skills: Strategic planning and roadmap development
Skills: Threat modeling and risk assessment
Skills: Secure system and network design
Skills: Technical documentation and policy writing
Abilities: Translate business and risk requirements into technical solutions
Abilities: Collaborate across departments and technical teams
Abilities: Evaluate and recommend security tools and services
Abilities: Communicate complex security topics to non-technical stakeholders
Other Attributes: Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
Other Attributes: Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with threats
US Citizen
One or more of the following: CISSP, CISA, TOGAF, GIAC
Preferred
Master's degree in related field
CISM or other advanced security certifications (e.g., CCSP, CRISC)
Experience in higher education or research environments
Experience with vendor risk assessments and third-party security reviews
Experience with OT/IoT security and business continuity planning
Knowledge: Advanced understanding of cloud-native security (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
Knowledge: Data protection techniques (e.g., encryption, tokenization)
Knowledge: Operational technology (OT) and IoT security
Skills: Financial analysis of security investments (e.g., ROI, TCO)
Skills: Project management and cross-functional coordination
Skills: Vendor risk assessment and third-party security reviews
Abilities: Lead security architecture in large-scale IT projects
Abilities: Influence policy and governance decisions
Abilities: Adapt to evolving technologies and threat landscapes
Company
George Mason University
George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution.
Founded in 1957
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.68MKey Investors
National Safety CouncilNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyVirginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
2025-06-25Grant· $0.05M
2024-04-03Grant· $0.2M
2023-08-03Grant· $0.07M
Leadership Team
Bassam Haddad
Director, Middle East and Islamic Studies Program
Ellen Laipson
Director, International Security Program
Recent News
2025-11-15
American Institutes for Research
2025-11-05
Company data provided by crunchbase