Cyber Defend Consultant
Introduction
A career in IBM Consulting is rooted by long-term relationships and close collaboration with clients across the globe. You'll work with visionaries across multiple industries to improve the hybrid cloud and AI journey for the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Your ability to accelerate impact and make meaningful change for your clients is enabled by our strategic partner ecosystem and our robust technology platforms across the IBM portfolio.
Your role and responsibilities
The Cyber Defend Security Specialist will lead the design, implementation, and governance of advanced identity and access management solutions across cloud and enterprise environments. This role will oversee access control models, privileged account management, and integration of IAM services with multi-cloud and on-prem systems. The specialist will collaborate with Cloud Security and Application Security teams to enforce least privilege principles, secure APIs, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, the role includes evaluating and adopting quantum-safe cryptographic practices and ensuring future-proof data protection strategies. The position requires deep technical expertise, strong understanding of Zero Trust architectures, and the ability to drive secure digital transformation initiatives across the organization.
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In addition, the specialist will collaborate with clients and cross-functional teams to gather and analyze business and technical requirements, define enterprise-wide access management processes, and contribute to the design and implementation of resilient security solutions. The role will also support IBM's initiative to advance Quantum Safe technologies and ensure comprehensive data protection across client environments.
This job can be performed from anywhere in the US.
Required education
Bachelor's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise
Strong knowledge of authentication and authorization protocols (SAML, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, Kerberos) and experience with IAM platforms such as Okta, Azure AD, CyberArk, or SailPoint.
Hands-on experience implementing Privileged Access Management (PAM), Single Sign-On (SSO), and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) within hybrid or cloud environments.
Expertise in cloud IAM (AWS, Azure, GCP) and automation using scripting languages like Python or PowerShell for identity workflows and security orchestration.
Familiarity with Quantum-Safe cryptographic algorithms, PQC readiness, and hybrid encryption models for post-quantum security.
Experience in one or more of the following security domains: Security Intelligence & Operations Consulting (SIOC); Data Security; Identity & Access Management, Infrastructure and Endpoint Security (IES), and/or Security Strategy Risk and Compliance (SSRC).
Exposure to software tools such as IBM Guardium, MSFT Purview, Varonis, Palo Alto and Artificial Intelligence use-cases for data protection
Deep understanding of compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, HIPAA) and risk management practices in access control and identity lifecycle management.
Relevant certifications such as CISSP, Microsoft Identity Administrator, or Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM) preferred.
ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT
IBM Consulting is IBM's consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients' businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.
YOUR LIFE @ IBM
In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.
Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.
Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.
Are you ready to be an IBMer?
ABOUT IBM
IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.
Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we're also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.
At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.
IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.
OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS
IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
Parental Benefits
Work Flexibility
Office Life and Perks
Vacation and Time Off
Financial and Retirement
Professional Development
Diversity and Inclusion
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