Deputy Chief Information Security Officer

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (Deputy CISO) reports to the Chief Information Security & Privacy Officer. The position provides senior operational and program leadership for the IT Security Office and serves as the principal delegate for assigned security matters. The Deputy CISO translates institutional security and privacy priorities into coordinated operations, supports continuity of leadership, and works across the Division of IT and the university to reduce technology risk.

The position leads or coordinates security governance, risk assessment, regulatory and standards compliance, security awareness, security operations oversight, and security review of technology projects and third-party services. The Deputy CISO advises technical and non-technical stakeholders, documents risk-based recommendations, tracks corrective actions, and escalates significant risks and incidents to the CISPO., * Technology risk assessments across university systems, business units, and third parties. This includes maintaining the enterprise risk register, developing assessment methodologies, and ensuring risks are documented with accountable owners and remediation plans.

• Audit preparation and response, including internal audit engagements, external audits, and reviews conducted by the Office of the State Auditor. The Deputy CISO serves as the primary coordinator for audit evidence, response, and remediation tracking.
• Regulatory compliance across the frameworks that apply to the university, including the FTC Safeguards Rule (GLBA), FERPA, UNC System policies, and applicable state and federal requirements. The Deputy CISO maintains the compliance mapping and reporting cadence.
• The human risk program, including phishing simulations, security awareness training, and security communications to the university community.
• The technology risk governance framework, including the development and maintenance of information security policies, standards, and control frameworks aligned to recognized industry frameworks such as NIST CSF and CIS Controls.
• The Deputy CISO’s work directly informs prioritization for the broader technology organization. The risk view produced by the function drives remediation sequencing, planning priorities, and investment decisions across IT.

• Security leadership and operational judgment
• Governance, risk, compliance, and control assessment
• Incident coordination and decision support
• Policy and procedure development
• Third-party, software, and project security review
• Clear executive, technical, and campus communication
• Collaboration, consultation, and customer service
• Planning, prioritization, documentation, and accountability, * Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, information systems, business analytics, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience across multiple information security functions, such as governance, risk, compliance, security operations, incident response, identity and access management, infrastructure security, or third-party risk.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex security initiatives across technical teams and business units.
• Working knowledge of networking, systems administration, endpoint security, identity and access control, cloud or hosted services, vulnerability management, and incident response practices.
• Experience developing or implementing security policies, risk assessments, control documentation, audit responses, or remediation plans.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts and risk in non-technical terms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage concurrent priorities with appropriate attention to detail.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CISSP certification within eighteen months of appointment if not already certified., * Master’s degree in cybersecurity, information systems, business administration, or a related field.
• More than seven years of progressively responsible information security experience, including program or team leadership.
• Current CISSP certification; additional relevant certification such as CISM, CRISC, GIAC, or a privacy credential.
• Experience in higher education, government, or another complex regulated environment.
• Experience with ISO 27002, ISO 27701, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NIST security controls, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GLBA, or comparable requirements.
• Experience supporting security incidents, audits, executive briefings, third-party risk assessments, and risk-register governance.

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:

• 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
• 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list. Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge., Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Credential Verification