Cyber Security Architect

Job ID : 86270-1Role: Cyber Security ArchitectLocation: Houston TX, 77042Duration: 6 months and Possible ExtensionPay Range : $70 - $80/hr on W2 without benefitsNote: Applicants must be willing to work on W2 only.Role Summary:The Cyber Security Architect is responsible for defining, governing, and safeguarding the enterprise security architecture across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. This role provides architectural authority, strategic guidance, and risk-based recommendations to ensure cybersecurity controls are consistently designed, compliant, and aligned with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and DCI's operating model.This is a pure architecture and advisory role focused on design, assessment, governance, and decision support, not operational execution.Key Responsibilities (In Scope):Security Architecture & Strategy· Assess and document the current-state cybersecurity architecture across:o Identity & Access Management (IAM)o Privileged Access Management (PAM)o Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)o Security Operations Center (SOC)o SIEMo Vulnerability Managemento Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)o Cloud Securityo Network and segmentation controls· Define, maintain, and evolve the target-state and transition security architecture, aligned with:o DCI's operating modelo Regulatory, compliance, and audit requirementso Business and technology strategy· Act as the single architectural authority for cybersecurity design to ensure controls are implemented consistently, without overlaps or gaps.Risk Identification & Advisory· Identify architectural and systemic risks related to:o Managed Security Service Provider (MSP) tool ownershipo Control-plane dependencieso SOC continuity and resilience· Review security configurations conceptually for:o Design correctnesso Logical data flowso Architectural integrity (Excludes day-to-day administration changes.)· Identify and prioritize high-risk architectural gaps, including but not limited to:o Privileged access exposureo Network segmentation gapso Endpoint protection weaknesseso Audit and logging gapso Protocol mismatcheso Tiered architecture vulnerabilitieso Hybrid and cloud integration risksDesign Principles & Governance· Define and maintain enterprise security architecture principles, standards, and reference architectures.· Ensure Zero Trust and Secure-by-Design principles are implemented incrementally and safely, minimizing business disruption.· Provide architectural oversight to ensure alignment with risk tolerance and budget constraints.Leadership & Stakeholder Support· Support executive and technology leadership with:o Architecture options and alternativeso Risk trade-off analysiso Cost vs. benefit perspectiveso Environmental, operational, and cultural fit considerations· Coordinate with security vendors and third parties on:o Architecture alignmento License usage monitoringo Compliance and entitlement oversightRequired Skills & Experience:· Strong experience in enterprise security architecture across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments.· Deep understanding of IAM, PAM, SOC, SIEM, EDR, vulnerability management, and cloud security architecture.· Proven ability to perform risk-based security design and executive advisory.· Experience working with MSPs and third-party security vendors.· Strong knowledge of Zero Trust, defense-in-depth, and regulatory compliance frameworks.· Ability to communicate complex architectural concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.Company Benefits & CultureInclusive and diverse work environmentOpportunities for professional growth and developmentComprehensive health and wellness benefits