Lead, Cybersecurity Incident Response

The Canada Life Assurance Company • Toronto, ON

2d • CA$119,300 - CA$169,300 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Security Incident Response Lead to guide and coordinate our security incident response function. This role is critical to protecting our business, data, and clients by ensuring rapid, effective, and efficient responses to cybersecurity incidents and threats. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in the incident response lifecycle, strong leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate across various departments and stakeholders. As part of our Information Security team, you will participate in high-profile investigations and develop and implement response plans for diverse security incidents. Your work will directly contribute to minimizing risks, safeguarding sensitive information, and enhancing the overall cybersecurity posture of our organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Security, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in cybersecurity with at least 3 years in incident response or related roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading security incident response teams and managing major incidents.
• Deep understanding of incident response frameworks (NIST 800-61, ISO 27035, MITRE ATT&CK, etc.) and industry best practices.
• Strong knowledge of threat detection, digital forensics, malware analysis, network security, and endpoint security.
• Experience in handling cloud-based incidents (Azure, AWS, GCP) and familiarity with cloud security principles.
• Proficient in SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools, EDR/XDR platforms, and forensic tools.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple investigations and priorities simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

• Certifications such as GCIH, GCFA, CISSP, CISM, CCISO, or CRISC are highly desirable.
• Experience in the insurance or financial services sector is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with privacy regulations (GDPR, PIPEDA, CCPA) and industry compliance requirements.
• Experience working with executive leadership and Board-level communications during incidents.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and oversee the end-to-end security incident response process, including preparation, detection, analysis, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident review.
• Act as the primary point of contact and coordinator during major security incidents, managing incident communications and escalating as needed.
• Establish and maintain incident response playbooks, procedures, and runbooks aligned with industry frameworks (NIST, ISO 27035, SANS, etc.).
• Coordinate with the Security Operations Center (SOC) team, Threat Intelligence, and Vulnerability Management to proactively detect and respond to potential threats.
• Ensure incidents are properly documented, classified, and reported, and lead root cause analysis (RCA) efforts to identify lessons learned.
• Regularly conduct tabletop exercises and simulations to assess and improve the organization’s incident response readiness.
• Manage and conduct security investigations to determine the cause, scope, and impact of security breaches.
• Oversee evidence gathering to support investigations, ensuring chain of custody and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
• Work with threat intelligence team to analyze and respond to advanced persistent threats (APTs), malware outbreaks, ransomware incidents, and other cyberattacks.
• Collaborate with external partners, law enforcement, and industry groups to stay informed of emerging threats and incorporate intelligence into incident response processes.
• Act as a liaison between the Security Incident Response Team (SIRT) and business units, IT, Legal, Compliance, Risk, and external vendors.
• Work closely with internal audit, governance, and risk management teams to ensure alignment with corporate security policies and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate effectively with senior leadership during high-severity incidents, providing regular updates on impact, response activities, and mitigation plans.
• Partner with business continuity and disaster recovery teams to ensure seamless integration of incident response with overall organizational resilience.
• Continuously enhance and refine the incident response framework to align with evolving threats, business objectives, and regulatory landscapes.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive incident response policies, standards, and guidelines that address the needs of the business while aligning with global best practices.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the incident response program.
• Lead initiatives to automate and optimize incident response activities through the integration of SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) platforms and other tools.

Benefits

• Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
• Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.
• Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
• Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options.
• Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
• Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior