Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

About 1Kosmos? 1Kosmos is a growing startup revolutionizing identity and authentication solutions. We're seeking a hands-on security leader who thrives in a technical, fast-paced environment and is ready to build and scale our security operations from the ground up. About the Role? We're looking for a hands-on security leader to serve as CISO. The candidate must be a highly technical, operationally focused security leader who can roll up their sleeves and directly implement security solutions while building our security posture. This role is ideal for a senior security operations professional ready to transition into strategic leadership while maintaining a deep technical involvement. Key Responsibilities? Security Operations Leadership (Primary Focus)?

• Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive security operations infrastructure?

• Personally configure and deploy security tools, including endpoint protection, SIEM, and cloud security solutions?

• Build and optimize security monitoring, incident response, and threat detection capabilities?

• Drive automation initiatives to eliminate manual inefficiencies in security processes?

• Lead compliance initiatives including FedRAMP, SOC 2, and other regulatory frameworks?

• Partner with business analysts to navigate regulatory requirements and audits?

• Develop and maintain security policies, procedures, and documentation?

• Manage security risk assessments and remediation programs?

• Secure cloud infrastructure across AWS, Google Cloud, and other platforms?

• Integrate security into CI/CD pipelines, working closely with DevOps teams?

• Implement and manage security tools (CrowdStrike, etc.) across the organization?

• Conduct hands-on security reviews of architecture and code?

• Partner directly with development and engineering teams on secure software development?

• Oversee internal IT security (smaller component of role)?

• Communicate security initiatives and status to leadership and stakeholders?

• Coordinate with global teams to ensure consistent security practices

• Minimum 7+ years in security operations with demonstrated hands-on experience?

• Deep expertise in cloud security (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)?

• Proven ability to personally deploy and configure enterprise security tools?

• Strong understanding of modern DevOps practices and CI/CD security integration?

• Experience with security automation and orchestration?

• Hands-on experience with FedRAMP certification processes?

• Track record of achieving and maintaining SOC 2, ISO 27001, or similar certifications?

• Understanding of regulatory compliance requirements and audit processes?

• Experience leading security initiatives in fast-growing organizations?

• Strong communication skills for collaborating with global, distributed teams?

• Ability to translate technical security concepts for various stakeholders?

• Comfortable working in a startup environment with evolving requirements?

• Currently in a similar-sized company CISO role, or a Deputy CISO, Director of Security Operations, or similar "CISO minus one" role at a larger organization?

• Experience in identity management or authentication technologies?

• Background in both security operations and security engineering?

• Previous startup or scale-up experience?

• Located in or willing to work EST hours (strong preference for NY/NJ area)?

• Public-facing CISO experience (client communications) is a plus but not required?

• Pure policy/governance executives without hands-on technical skills?

• Traditional "big company" CISOs focused only on strategy and presentations?

• Candidates who expect to delegate all technical work from day one?

• Security leaders who haven't maintained current technical skills?

• Opportunity to build and shape security at a growing startup?

• Direct impact on product and company security posture?

• Collaborative environment with talented engineering teams?

• Competitive compensation and equity package?

• Flexible work arrangements with preference for hybrid in NY/NJ area?