Security Spec Sr

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

About The Position

American Electric Power (AEP) is seeking a Senior Security Specialist to support enterprise physical security systems, regulatory compliance programs, security reporting, and operational performance management. This position serves as a technical and compliance lead for Physical Security, with responsibility for administering security technology platforms, managing compliance activities, maintaining regulatory documentation, supporting audits, tracking mitigation plans, overseeing preventive maintenance programs, and developing operational and compliance reporting. The successful candidate will work closely with Physical Security, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Operations, Telecommunications, Regulatory Compliance, and external stakeholders to ensure security systems and programs remain secure, reliable, compliant, and audit-ready. The ideal candidate is a highly organized security professional who combines strong technical skills with compliance, reporting, and program management expertise. Success in this role requires the ability to manage regulatory obligations, maintain audit-ready documentation, administer security systems, track mitigation and maintenance activities, and transform complex data into meaningful operational and compliance reporting. This role is well-suited for someone who enjoys owning processes, managing details, solving problems, and using data to drive accountability and continuous improvement across a large enterprise security program.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree; OR associate degree with 2 years of relevant experience in system administration, help desk, cybersecurity, or physical security; OR High School Diploma/GED with 3 years of relevant experience in IT system administration, help desk, cybersecurity, or physical security; OR Graduation from an approved Cybersecurity Program; OR Equivalent hands-on technical experience demonstrated through assessment and technical evaluation.
2+ years of Information Technology related experience; OR 1+ years of security-related experience, which may include military or government service.
Experience with enterprise access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, and integrated security systems.
Experience supporting regulatory compliance programs, audits, inspections, and corrective action management.
Demonstrated experience developing procedures, standards, reports, and compliance documentation.
Strong organizational, analytical, and project coordination skills.
Experience managing large volumes of operational, compliance, and performance data.
SQL query development and report writing.
Microsoft SQL Server experience.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, Power Query, dashboards, formulas, and data analysis.
Power BI or similar reporting and visualization tools.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) administration.
Security system integrations and data interfaces.
Working knowledge of TCP/IP networking and system communications.
ServiceNow dashboard development skills.

Nice To Haves

3+ (security specialist assoc.), 5+ (security specialist), 7+ years (senior security specialist) of experience supporting physical security systems, compliance programs, security operations, or related technical environments.
Lenel OnGuard administration experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate recurring compliance activities, including reviews, testing, certifications, tabletop exercises, and evidence retention.
Support physical security systems and processes related to access control, monitoring, preventive maintenance, recovery planning, and configuration documentation.
Work with security leadership, compliance teams, field personnel, vendors, IT, telecom, cybersecurity, and operations teams to support program requirements.
Identify documentation gaps, operational concerns, or compliance risks and escalate them through appropriate channels.
Support continuous improvement of physical security compliance processes, procedures, and evidence management practices.
Administer and support enterprise Physical Access Control Systems (PACS), Video Management Systems (VMS), intrusion detection systems, and related security technologies.
Configure and maintain system settings, badge access levels, user accounts, roles, permissions, workflows, and integrations.
Support system upgrades, testing, troubleshooting, patching, maintenance, and lifecycle management.
Coordinate issue resolution and technical improvements with vendors, contractors, and internal partners.
Lead annual reviews and updates of physical security policies, procedures, standards, and compliance documentation.
Coordinate compliance activities associated with NERC CIP, MARSEC, FAA, TSA, FERC, and corporate security requirements, as applicable.
Manage compliance evidence, audit records, corrective actions, mitigation plans, and regulatory deliverables.
Support and participate in internal audits, external audits, assessments, site inspections, and regulatory reviews.
Track audit findings, remediation activities, and compliance commitments through closure.
Develop, maintain, and analyze operational, compliance, and management reports.
Write SQL queries and create reports, dashboards, and data extracts supporting security operations and regulatory requirements.
Utilize advanced spreadsheet and reporting tools to analyze trends, track performance, and identify compliance risks.
Maintain security metrics, maintenance records, compliance trackers, and executive reporting packages.
Ensure data accuracy and integrity across security platforms and related systems.
Manage tracking and reporting for preventive maintenance testing programs.
Support physical security assessments, site reviews, commissioning activities, and operational readiness efforts.
Lead tracking and follow-up activities associated with physical security incidents, corrective actions, and mitigation plans.
Support security technology projects, modernization initiatives, and process improvement efforts.