Network Security Architect

Job title: Network Security Architect

Job location: NYC, NY Hybrid- 3 days a week

Job Type: Contract

Job description:

Industry- Banking & Financial client

Rate:$60-$70/hr

Phone Interview followed by an in-person round of interview.

Ideal Candidate :

Senior Network Security Architect + strong enterprise networking/security architecture + hands-on PQC knowledge (FIPS 203/204/205) + experience assessing PQC readiness and its impact on Firewalls, WAF, NAC, Proxy, VPN/PKI and perimeter security.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Senior Network Security Architect who can design and secure large enterprise network environments across on-prem, data center, and multi-cloud platforms.

The most important differentiator for this role is Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) expertise, specifically NIST FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and FIPS 205, and how PQC impacts network security technologies.

A Network Security Architect is a senior-level IT professional responsible for planning, designing, testing, and overseeing the implementation of secure enterprise network configurations to protect an organization from cyber threats. Acting as the strategic blueprint designer, this role ensures that all local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), virtual private networks (VPNs), routers, firewalls, and cloud integrations align with business objectives and stringent security standards.
Subject Matter expert / domain specialist related to post-quantum cryptography (NIST FIPS ) will be required to cover Firewalls, Web Application Security, NAC, Proxy and Perimeter Mail areas within Network Security.
Strong familiarity with NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography standards (FIPS 203, 204, 205) and their applicability to network security infrastructure
Understanding of financial industry regulatory frameworks (e.g., FFIEC, DORA, SEC cybersecurity guidance) as they relate to cryptographic standards
Experience supporting PQC readiness assessments in regulated industries
Awareness of 'harvest now, decrypt later' threat vectors and their implications for financial data
Ability to incorporate industry-standard compliance frameworks into the RFP deliverables and final recommendations
The Network Security Architect leads the creation of robust, layered defense infrastructures. They analyze existing security postures, identify structural vulnerabilities, perform gap analyses, and design end-to-end network security solutions. They collaborate closely with project managers, security engineers, and executive stakeholders to translate complex business demands into highly resilient, secure technical realities.
Core Responsibilities
1. Security Architecture & Strategy DesignDesign and deliver comprehensive, secure network frameworks using trust domain segregation, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), and secure zoning principles.Develop technical solutions and integration strategies across LANs, WANs, SD-WAN, MPLS, data centers, and multi-cloud environments.Establish baseline configurations for network infrastructure, including Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW), Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS), and Network Access Control (NAC).

2. Risk Assessment & Vulnerability ManagementConduct routine gap analyses and security risk assessments against recognized frameworks like NIST, SANS, and CIS.Evaluate proposed acquisitions and software interfaces to determine how they impact the organization's overarching network security posture.Plan and oversee regular vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and ethical hacking exercises.

3. Access Control & Data ProtectionDefine and implement secure identity federation, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO), and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems.Enforce Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to limit network access strictly by corporate necessity and specific employee roles.Architect data-in-transit encryption paths (IPsec/SSL VPNs) and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) parameters to mitigate data leakage.

4. Incident Response & Business ContinuityDesign disaster recovery plans, data backup strategies, and conduct routine breach-of-security simulation drills.Provide escalation support during critical network intrusions or unauthorized system access.Conduct comprehensive post-event analyses to determine exact root causes and update network models to mitigate future risks.
Required Technical Skills & Knowledge

Network Technologies: Proficient in IP routing, MPLS, BGP, SD-WAN, Wireless networks, and advanced data center architectures.Security Hardware/Software: Extensive experience deploying Checkpoint, Palo Alto, or Cisco NGFWs, SIEM monitoring platforms, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions.Cloud Architecture: Hands-on experience mapping secure network perimeters inside AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform) environments.Frameworks & Methodologies: Deep familiarity with SABSA, TOGAF, COBIT, ITIL, and DoDAF architecture frameworks.Automation & Scripting: Capability to write code in Python or PowerShell to automate network provisioning and logging configurations.

Experience & Education Requirements
Education: Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a closely related technical discipline.

Experience: 8+ years of core IT networking experience alongside 3+ years specifically focused on advanced enterprise cybersecurity architecture.
Certifications (Highly Preferred):Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP).Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) or Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP).Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) or SABSA Chartered Security Architect.IT Infra
Multi Cloud
Networking
Automation
Security
Agile
Complex problem solving skills