SVP, Chief Security Officer

Bankwell Financial Group • New Canaan, CT

2d

About The Position

About Bankwell:
Bankwell is a commercial bank with more than $3 billion in assets that serves the banking needs of businesses and individuals. At Bankwell, we pride ourselves on our unique ability to bring you high touch, high quality banking with the expertise and dedication of our experienced team of professionals. When it comes to business, our deep industry knowledge, flexibility and innovative treasury and financing services enable us to find the right solutions for our business and commercial clients. We’re passionate about giving back and are actively involved with many not-for-profit organizations that help shape and improve the lives of others. We’re dedicated to giving our time and talent to support the communities we serve. More about Bankwell can be found at www.mybankwell.com.

Summary of Position:
The Chief Security Officer (CSO) is responsible for developing and implementing the organization’s security strategy to protect people, assets, information, and reputation. The CSO oversees physical security, cybersecurity, and information security, ensuring that comprehensive security measures are in place to mitigate risks and respond effectively to security incidents.

Requirements

• 15+ Years of experience in security management, with a strong background in both physical and cybersecurity
• Required – must be a current Chief Security Officer/CISO or Deputy Chief Security Officer/CISO to be considered.
• Strong facility with data security, in particular cloud-based data security. Specific experience with cloud-based data solutions including Snowflake is a significant plus.
• Proven track record of leading security programs in a corporate environment
• In-depth knowledge of security principles, practices and technologies
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead and influence others at all levels of the organization
• High level of integrity and ethical judgment
• Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology, criminal justice, or a related field is required; advanced degree preferred
• Certifications such as: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) preferred

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a FinTech environment is a strong plus.
• Strong knowledge of AI is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strategic security planning duties which include developing and implementing a comprehensive security strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives, conducting regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential security threats and vulnerabilities, and establishing security policies, procedures, and standards to ensure a consistent and effective security posture.
• Cybersecurity management duties which include overseeing the organization’s cybersecurity program, including threat detection, prevention and response, implementing robust cybersecurity measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption protocols, and ensuring compliance with relevant cybersecurity regulations and standards.
• Physical security duties which include managing physical security operations, including access control, surveillance, and perimeter protection, developing and implementing emergency response plans and protocols, and coordinating with law enforcement and emergency services as needed.
• Developing and maintaining an incident response plan to address security breaches and other emergencies, leading investigations into security incidents and coordinating response efforts, communicating incident status and resolution to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Information security duties which include protecting sensitive information and intellectual property from unauthorized access, disclosure or theft, implementing data protection and privacy measures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and conducting regular security audits and assessments to ensure the integrity of information systems.
• Leading and managing the security team, providing guidance and support to ensure effective performance, collaborating with other departments (e.g. IT, legal, HR) to address security-related issues and implementing cross-functional initiatives, acting as a security advisor to senior management, providing insights and recommendations on security matters.

What This Job Offers

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