Job Details

The Security Architect will lead efforts to coordinate the development, documentation, and implementation of initiatives to improve the security of MSU's IT environment. The primary responsibilities of this position are to, using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) as a guide, assess the security posture of MSU's four-campus IT environment and coordinate initiatives to identify, document, and implement standards to improve the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of MSU's IT resources.

Under the supervision of the Chief Information Security Officer, this full‑time position works closely with the technical and administrative staff throughout the four MSU campuses and the IT Community to maintain and improve the security of MSU's data and IT resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain security policies and standards for MSU's four‑campus IT environment.
• Conduct or coordinate risk assessments and audits using the NIST CSF, and other NIST frameworks (NIST 800‑171) to identify and prioritize opportunities to mitigate threats and risks to MSU's systems and data.
• Evaluate and recommend solutions and technologies to improve MSU's security posture.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary units to identify, prioritize, and implement mitigating controls for identified risks. This includes, but is not limited to, networking, system administration, enterprise services, desktop and user support, and application development.
• Assist in the planning for, coordination of, and response to, security incidents.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor's degree and a track record of progressively responsible experience in information technology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Advanced knowledge of network protocols, firewalls, and associated risks.
• Hands‑on systems and networking administration experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting ERP and other enterprise software and Web application environments.
• Demonstrated experience with data loss prevention, vulnerability management, threat hunting, anti‑malware tools, and SIEMs in a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated experience providing both technical and functional users with training related to security best practices.
• Demonstrated experience using a risk‑based approach to identify and prioritize new initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience with assessing functional requirements to ensure a balanced approach to security with business needs in mind.
• Demonstrated experience with the implementation and maintenance of the principle of least privilege.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• A Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on cybersecurity (Master's degree preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate among interdisciplinary units to work toward a common goal.
• Experience working in a multi‑campus higher education environment.
• Experience responding to, and helping to manage, security incidents.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form.
• Demonstrated discretion in handling sensitive information and circumstances, including high‑stress incident handling.
• Ability to multi‑task, prioritize, and rapidly re‑prioritize a variety of tasks at different levels of complexity and urgency.

Position Special Requirements / Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Applications will be: Screening of applications will begin on December 1, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter