Head of Department – Cyber Security

Job Purpose The Head of Department (HoD) for Cyber Security is responsible for providing strategic, academic, and operational leadership to the cybersecurity department. This role encompasses developing and delivering high-quality undergraduate/graduate curricula, fostering pioneering research, and ensuring the university’s digital assets are protected against evolving threats. The HOD will act as a bridge between academic theory and industrial best practices, nurturing a culture of security awareness and academic excellence. Key Responsibilities 1. Academic Leadership & Curriculum Development • Develop, maintain, and update cybersecurity curricula to reflect current industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory requirements. • Ensure academic programs meet accreditation standards (e.g., ABET, NSA Centres of Academic Excellence). • Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and related fields. • Supervise student research, capstone projects, and thesis work. 2. Research, Innovation and Consultancy • Conduct and publish original research in reputable journals and conferences. • Generate external research grant income and establish industrial collaborations to support research initiatives. • Lead the department in pursuing high-impact research and consultancy projects in emerging security areas. 3. Industry Engagement & Student Success • Build partnerships with industry leaders for internships, placements, value added courses and collaborative projects. • Promote student participation in technical competitions, hackathons, and certifications. 4. Operational Security Management (University Infrastructure) • Oversee the protection of the university's computer networks, systems, and sensitive data from unauthorized access or theft. • Define and implement university-wide security policies, procedures, and controls. • Lead incident response efforts, security audits, and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities. • Collaborate with the IT department to ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, FERPA). 5. Administrative and Faculty Management • Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance evaluation for faculty and staff. • Manage the department budget, including resource allocation for research labs and security tools. • Participate in faculty hiring, development, and departmental governance committees. • Drive university-wide security awareness campaigns for staff and students. 6. Stakeholder Engagement • Represent the university in interactions with regulatory bodies, law enforcement, and industry partners. • Liaise with external partners for internships, collaborative research, and student placement. Required Qualifications and Skills • Education: PhD in Computer Science and Engineering, Information Security, or a closely related field. • Experience: 8–12+ years of experience in cybersecurity, including a mix of academic teaching/research and professional industry experience. • Academic Record: Proven track record of high-quality research and publication in cyber security. • Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading academic teams, curriculum development, and managing strategic initiatives. • Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of network security, risk management, threat detection, cloud security, and compliance frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001). • Certifications: Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or GIAC is highly desirable. • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with academic, technical, and non-technical stakeholders. Personal Attributes • Visionary Leader: Ability to set a clear, forward-looking strategic direction for the department. • Collaborative: Effective in building partnerships across the university and with industry. • Decisive: Skilled in making high-stakes decisions during security incidents or academic disputes. Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Pay: ₹1,000,000.00 - ₹1,500,000.00 per year Work Location: In person