Cyber Security Architect - Embedded Products (10-15 yrs)

Job Title : Cybersecurity Architect

Experience : 10-15 years

Qualification : B.E. / B.Tech / M.E. / M.Tech in Electronics & Communication / Computer Science / Electrical / Instrumentation or equivalent

Overview :

As a Cybersecurity Architect, you will be responsible for analyzing, designing, and implementing security solutions for embedded systems and products. Your role will involve identifying cybersecurity threats and developing mitigations, ensuring compliance with industry security standards, and acting as the primary point of contact for customers regarding their cybersecurity requirements. This position requires extensive experience in embedded software, security protocols, and threat modeling, with a focus on real-time systems and software development life cycle (SDLC).

Key Responsibilities :

Cybersecurity Analysis & Architecture :

- Analyze product security requirements and evaluate threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies to ensure robust cybersecurity.

- Design and develop security architecture for embedded systems, considering both hardware and software security aspects.

- Create detailed documentation for cybersecurity architectures, including security concepts, risk assessments, and threat models.

- Implement and evaluate cryptographic techniques for securing embedded systems and real-time applications.

Threat Modeling and Risk Assessment :

- Lead threat modeling activities (such as TARA) to identify, prioritize, and mitigate potential security risks within the system.

- Develop Security Concept and Cybersecurity Plans based on threat modeling findings and ensure they align with industry best practices and compliance standards.

- Perform risk assessments and provide guidance on reducing the security attack surface of the product throughout its lifecycle.

Embedded Systems Security :

- Apply in-depth knowledge of real-time embedded systems (C/C++) and various operating systems (Linux, QNX, Microsar) to enhance system security.

- Ensure secure coding practices are followed during embedded software development and assist in secure design patterns for hardware and software integration.

- Advise and assist in the incorporation of cybersecurity measures into embedded system firmware, software, and hardware architectures.

Cybersecurity Integration with SDLC :

- Integrate cybersecurity considerations throughout all stages of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), from requirements gathering to design, development, testing, and deployment.

- Collaborate with development teams to ensure secure coding practices are followed, and perform regular code reviews and vulnerability assessments.

- Provide cybersecurity training and awareness sessions to development teams to ensure secure software practices are consistently applied.

Customer Interaction & Requirement Analysis :

- Act as the primary interface to the customer for cybersecurity-related requirements, providing expertise on securing products and addressing security concerns.

- Review and assess customer requirements to identify potential cybersecurity impacts and ensure alignment with relevant cybersecurity standards and regulations.

- Engage with customers to provide ongoing support and consulting for cybersecurity-related needs, including incident response, vulnerability management, and product security assessments.

Vulnerability Management & Incident Response :

- Manage and track vulnerabilities within the product, from discovery through to resolution.

- Work closely with development and security teams to develop and implement a vulnerability management process.

- Lead the response to cybersecurity incidents, including root cause analysis, mitigation strategies, and coordination of incident reporting.

Security Testing & Evaluation :

- Oversee and assist in security testing activities, including penetration testing, code audits, and vulnerability assessments to ensure the security posture of the embedded product.

- Work with teams to implement automated security testing solutions and continuous integration for detecting security flaws early in the development process.

Compliance and Industry Standards :

- Ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards and frameworks relevant to the embedded systems industry, including ISO/IEC 27001, IEC 62443, NIST, and others.

- Stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies, as well as relevant regulatory changes.

Collaboration & Leadership :

- Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware engineers, software developers, and QA teams to ensure security is built into all layers of the product.

- Lead and mentor a team of security professionals, providing guidance on best practices and cybersecurity trends.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Technical Expertise :

- Minimum of 10-12 years of hands-on experience in embedded real-time software design and development, particularly in C/C++ programming.

- At least 1 year of experience working as a Cybersecurity Architect, specifically within embedded systems or similar fields.

- Strong knowledge of embedded operating systems such as Linux, QNX, Microsar, and their security mechanisms.

- Familiarity with hardware and software security concepts, including secure boot, trusted execution environments, hardware security modules (HSM), and secure communication protocols.

- Expertise in cryptography algorithms, key management, and security protocols like TLS, IPSec, and others.

Threat Modeling and Risk Management :

- Proven experience in conducting threat modeling exercises (TARA, STRIDE, PASTA, etc.) and creating security roadmaps for products.

- Ability to assess risks in complex embedded systems and apply security controls to mitigate those risks effectively.

- Experience in vulnerability management processes, including the identification, reporting, and remediation of security flaws.

Cybersecurity Frameworks and Standards :

- Familiarity with industry standards and frameworks such as ISO 27001, IEC 62443, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and others.

- Strong understanding of regulatory requirements impacting embedded system security, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and others.

Customer Interface & Communication :

- Experience interfacing directly with customers to understand cybersecurity requirements and provide recommendations on best practices for securing embedded systems.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare detailed cybersecurity documentation and reports.

Problem-Solving and Debugging :

- Expertise in debugging security issues across hardware and software systems using advanced tools and techniques.

- Ability to quickly identify vulnerabilities and provide clear, actionable solutions in a high-pressure environment.