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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Network Security Supervisor

💰 $115,000 - $160,000

Information TechnologyCybersecurityNetwork EngineeringManagementLeadership

🎯 Role Definition

The Network Security Supervisor is a critical leadership role, serving as the linchpin between hands-on technical execution and strategic security management. This individual leads a team of security professionals dedicated to protecting the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of our corporate network infrastructure. More than just a technical expert, the Supervisor is a mentor, a project leader, and a key advisor to IT leadership, responsible for shaping our network defense posture. You will drive the daily operations, incident response, and continuous improvement of our security controls, ensuring the team is equipped and motivated to defend against an ever-evolving threat landscape. This role requires a blend of deep technical knowledge, strong leadership acumen, and a forward-thinking approach to cybersecurity.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Network Security Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Team Lead
  • Senior SOC Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Network Security Manager
  • IT Security Director
  • Cybersecurity Architect

Lateral Moves:

  • Cloud Security Manager
  • Incident Response Manager
  • IT Audit & Compliance Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the network security team, providing guidance, mentorship, and technical leadership to ensure operational excellence.
  • Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of the organization's network security infrastructure, including next-generation firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and ZTNA solutions.
  • Act as the primary escalation point for complex and high-severity network security incidents, guiding the team through investigation, containment, and eradication.
  • Develop, refine, and enforce comprehensive network security policies, standards, and procedures in alignment with industry frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, and CIS Controls.
  • Manage the complete lifecycle of network security technologies, from initial evaluation and proof-of-concept testing to deployment, optimization, and eventual decommissioning.
  • Conduct and oversee regular vulnerability assessments, penetration testing coordination, and security audits of the network infrastructure to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
  • Mentor, train, and foster the professional development of network security engineers, conducting performance reviews and creating career development plans.
  • Manage key vendor relationships for security products and services, participating in contract negotiations, service level agreement (SLA) reviews, and performance monitoring.
  • Generate and present detailed, insightful reports on network security posture, incident trends, team performance, and project status to senior IT management and business stakeholders.
  • Lead network security-focused projects from conception to completion, defining scope, managing timelines, allocating resources, and ensuring successful project delivery.
  • Ensure all network security systems, including firewalls, routers, and switches, are properly patched, updated, and configured according to security hardening best practices.
  • Administer and optimize advanced security solutions such as next-generation firewalls (e.g., Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco Firepower), ensuring policies are effective and efficient.
  • Manage and enhance secure remote access solutions, including traditional IPSec/SSL VPNs and modern Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) frameworks.
  • Proactively monitor network traffic for suspicious or anomalous activity using tools like SIEM, network traffic analyzers, and threat intelligence platforms.
  • Collaborate closely with networking, systems administration, and application development teams to ensure security controls are seamlessly integrated throughout the IT ecosystem.
  • Develop and maintain thorough and up-to-date documentation for network security architecture, device configurations, operational processes, and incident response playbooks.
  • Evaluate emerging cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and technologies to provide strategic recommendations for improving the organization's overall security posture.
  • Ensure and document compliance with relevant regulatory and legal requirements such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOX, and GDPR as they pertain to network infrastructure.
  • Oversee the configuration and management of critical security services including Web Application Firewalls (WAF), secure DNS, and DDoS mitigation solutions.
  • Perform in-depth root cause analysis (RCA) for significant security incidents and implement robust preventative measures to prevent recurrence.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to security events and network traffic.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and technology roadmap from a security perspective.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate their operational needs and data protection requirements into tangible security and engineering requirements.
  • Participate in departmental sprint planning, agile ceremonies, and cross-functional team meetings to represent network security interests.
  • Develop and manage the on-call rotation schedule and escalation procedures for the network security team.
  • Assist in budget planning and forecasting for network security hardware, software, and services.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) Management: Expert-level proficiency in configuring, deploying, and managing enterprise-grade firewalls such as Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, or Cisco ASA/Firepower, including policy creation and threat prevention features.
  • Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Deep understanding and hands-on experience with deploying and tuning IDS/IPS solutions to detect and block malicious network activity.
  • SIEM & Log Analysis: Proficiency in using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms like Splunk, QRadar, or Sentinel for threat hunting, incident investigation, and creating correlation rules.
  • Network Protocols & Architecture: Comprehensive knowledge of the TCP/IP suite, as well as routing (BGP, OSPF) and switching protocols, with a focus on secure network design.
  • VPN & Remote Access Technologies: Strong experience with IPsec and SSL VPNs, as well as modern Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and SASE concepts and solutions.
  • Vulnerability Management: Experience with vulnerability scanning tools (e.g., Nessus, Qualys, Rapid7) and the ability to interpret results and prioritize remediation.
  • Packet Analysis: Advanced skill in using tools like Wireshark and tcpdump to capture and analyze network traffic for troubleshooting and forensic investigation.
  • Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in a scripting language (e.g., Python, PowerShell) to automate repetitive security tasks, integrate systems, and parse data.
  • Cloud Security Principles: Solid understanding of network security concepts within major cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), including security groups, NACLs, and virtual private clouds (VPCs).
  • Relevant Certifications: Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCNP Security, or PCNSE are highly valued and demonstrate a strong foundational knowledge.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop a technical team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
  • Strategic Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical staff and non-technical senior leadership.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: A systematic and analytical approach to troubleshooting complex security issues and developing effective, long-term solutions.
  • Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously, from planning and execution to closing and reporting.
  • Decision Making: The ability to make sound, timely decisions under pressure, especially during high-stakes security incidents.
  • Stakeholder Management: Skill in building relationships and collaborating effectively with various departments and stakeholders across the organization.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: The capacity to remain calm and effective in a fast-paced, high-stress environment and adapt to new threats and technologies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of professional-level certifications and work experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or Computer Science.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Computer Science
  • Information Systems Management
  • Network Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 7-10+ years of progressive experience in network security or cybersecurity roles, with at least 2-3 years in a lead, supervisory, or senior-level capacity.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience supervising a team of network security engineers or SOC analysts.
  • A proven track record of leading significant network security projects, such as a firewall migration, ZTNA implementation, or IDS/IPS deployment.
  • Experience working in an enterprise environment subject to strict regulatory compliance (e.g., finance, healthcare, e-commerce).
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