IT Senior Technical / Cybersecurity Specialist - IT Department

Purpose

Responsible for hands-on senior technical support and assisting with the management of both the core IT infrastructure and the information security platforms of the firm, with the potential to grow into full ownership of these platforms over time. Key aspects of the role include:

• Assisting in ensuring a stable, secure and resilient IT platform – network, wireless, servers, endpoints, connectivity, remote access and backup
• Acting as third-level escalation to the IT team for complex problems
• Assisting with the management of the third-party vendors, managed service providers and the outsourced SOC that support these platforms
• Providing technology evaluation and advisory input on new collaboration and productivity tools
• Supporting IT projects, office moves, branch office fit-outs and firm events
• Providing an excellent and professional client service of the highest standard to both internal and external clients
• Communicating and coordinating effectively with other departments, partners, individual attorneys and staff members, clients, office administrators, and outside vendors and contractors

Experience and Qualifications

• 8 – 10 years' IT experience with at least 3 – 5 years' in a similar senior technical or service delivery role, preferably in a professional services environment
• Degree or diploma in IT or a related field essential
• Microsoft certification (Microsoft 365 / Azure) essential
• Network and security certifications (Fortinet, Aruba, Cisco, CompTIA A+ / N+) preferable
• An information security certification (e.g. CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+ or Microsoft SC-200) preferable
• ITIL and/or project management certification preferable
• Operational experience in designing, implementing, supporting and maintaining LAN / WAN, wireless and VPN networks, servers and virtualised infrastructure
• Expert-level knowledge of and experience in Azure, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Defender and Intune essential
• Working knowledge of cloud-based platforms and migrations, Active Directory, Exchange and Teams
• Practical experience with security and management tooling such as email security, cloud security, vulnerability management, firewalls and web filtering, patch management, endpoint backup and remote support tools
• Experience managing vendors, managed service providers, licensing and an outsourced SOC
• Able to support iPad, iPhone, MacBook, Android tablets and other smart devices
• Must be able to communicate at Executive level
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Effective client service orientation
• Available to provide after-hours support for emergencies and urgent queries

Key Accountabilities
Core IT infrastructure:

• Third-level support to the IT Team in general, including the research and resolution of high-level problems
• Maintaining the wireless network and network access control (Aruba / ClearPass), ensuring functionality and that the latest features and software patches are applied
• Optimising, supporting and maintaining switches, server infrastructure and data communications
• Managing remote access and VPN (Fortinet EMS), including upgrades
• Assist with maintaining Active Directory, including distribution lists
• Assist with managing endpoint backup (Druva), print management (Papercut), document workflow tools and remote support tooling (Dameware), including licensing
• Assist with resolving hardware and software problems in a timely and accurate fashion
• Assist with the planning and implementation of new developments in terms of IT infrastructure
• Assist with improving the IT platform to enhance resilience, service delivery and uptime
• Assist with after-hours support for emergencies and urgent queries
• Assist with liaising with external vendors in matters relating to IT Infrastructure

Information security

• Assist with maintaining and managing the firm's web filtering and firewall solution, and with providing support / guidance to the IT Team
• Assist with managing email security (Mimecast), including checking and managing held messages and conducting investigations
• Assist with managing cloud and data security (Netskope) and endpoint protection (Defender)
• Assist with vulnerability management, remediation and resolution together with the relevant service providers
• Assist as a contact for the outsourced 24/7 SOC, helping to triage and manage alerts and incidents
• Assist with patch management relating to core software infrastructure of the firm and help ensure server and endpoint patch levels are current
• Assist with ensuring the network, software and email integrity of the firm
• Assist with office security system management where required
• Assist with security incident response – investigation, containment, remediation and post-incident review – working with the SOC and relevant service providers
• Assist with driving security awareness across the firm, including phishing simulation campaigns and end-user training
• Assist with managing identity and access security, including multi-factor authentication, conditional access and privileged access controls
• Assist with protecting client-privileged and confidential material through data loss prevention and data protection controls, and with responses to client security due diligence questionnaires and POPIA / data protection requirements
• Assist with the security, governance and risk management of AI tools (e.g. Microsoft 365 Copilot, Claude and other approved AI Tools), including data protection, access controls and safeguards over client-privileged and confidential information, "shadow AI", data leakage and compliance with the firm's AI usage and data protection policies

Technology evaluation and advisory

• Assist with the evaluation and testing of new collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. transcription, recording, AI-assisted tools)
• Assist with the evaluation, testing and roll-out of AI productivity tools (e.g. Microsoft 365 Copilot, Claude and other approved AI Tools), including suitable use cases, licensing and user adoption, and with guidance to the firm on their safe and effective use and integration with existing platforms
• Assist with providing guidance on suitability, limitations, and integration with existing platforms (Teams, Microsoft 365)
• Assist with identifying risks related to data handling, storage, and compliance when using cloud-based third-party tools
• Assist with recommending alternatives aligned to the firm's existing technology stack
• Assist with research into the latest trends and products in the technology space and relaying relevant technologies to the relevant people
• Assist with Proof of Concept (POC) and Proof of Value (POV) projects

IT projects and strategy

• Provide input into the overall IT strategy
• Assist with managing and implementing projects, including functionality testing, reporting and feedback of any problems / issues
• Assist with ensuring that testing is done before go-live to the firm
• Assist with planning and executing IT initiatives which improve the ongoing user experience when working outside the office
• Assist with technical support for firm events and the partner conference
• Assist with office moves, rotations and changes, ensuring users are up and working and that the team knows what has to be done

New branch office roll-outs

• Manage the roll-out of new branch offices and the fit-out of existing offices
• Assist with the implementation of fit-for-purpose IT infrastructure in newly opened offices to ensure cost-effective integration with the firm's IT platform
• Assist with planning, scoping and costing the IT requirements for new premises, including cabling, network, wireless, connectivity, server and cloud services, print, audio-visual and end-user equipment
• Assist with coordinating landlords, contractors, vendors and internal stakeholders throughout the fit out, and with delivery against the project timeline
• Assist with commissioning and testing all systems ahead of go live, and with on-site and post implementation support to users in the new office
• Assist with ensuring new offices are secured, patched, backed up and brought under the firm's standard monitoring and management platforms from day one
• Travel to branch offices as and when required

Vendor and supplier management

• Assist with managing relationships and service levels with vendors, managed service providers and consultants
• Log calls with suppliers if repairs or resolution cannot be done in house
• Assist with managing licensing and renewals for the platforms within the area of responsibility
• Assist with holding vendors accountable for delivery, escalating where required

Financial control

• Provide input into the budget process for area of responsibility

Relationship building

• Develop and maintain relationships with Partners, Executive and Business Services Management as a trusted IT solutions advisor
• Develop and maintain relationships with all levels of staff as a trusted IT resource
• Maintain strong working relationships with and have open and transparent communication between all members of the IT team
• Collaborate with other stakeholders to accommodate special requests where possible
• Work with Talent on new starter setups and continue to improve the joiner experience

Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Client Focus
• Continuous Learning
• Initiative
• Interactive Communication
• Problem Solving
• Project Management
• Resilience
• Resource Management
• Teamwork

Please note that, due to the nature of the role, this is not a standard “9 to 5” position. The successful candidate will be required to work overtime, at times at short notice, to meet the operational and security requirements of the firm.

Bowmans is committed to achieving the objectives set in its transformation charter, and the targets in its employment equity plan. All recruitment decisions will be taken with due consideration being given to these objectives.