Azure Cloud Security Engineer – Cloud SecOps (PB)

Description DVT is one of the top software development companies on the continent. Our software engineers are consulting on cutting edge applications at top companies in South Africa, as well as consulting globally. You will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the most established developers in the country and globally with the latest technologies. DVT is committed to continuously training our staff and we are very proud of our culture of learning, internal speaking and training at a variety of sponsored technical events across the Microsoft ecosystem. We are looking for an Azure Cloud Security Engineer for a contract with a client in the banking sector. You will design, implement and optimise security controls across the client’s Microsoft Azure environments, with a strong focus on Zero Trust architecture built on Microsoft security tooling. You will configure and manage Microsoft Entra ID, deploy and tune the Microsoft Defender suite, and design and build Microsoft Sentinel SIEM capability, from data connector onboarding and detection rules through to automated incident response. You will also support secure cloud landing zones and guardrails, and align controls to Zero Trust, CIS and NIST. This is a delivery-focused role. You will work closely with the infrastructure, cloud and security teams, produce technical documentation and hand over knowledge where required. The ideal candidate is a hands-on, mid-level cloud security engineer with current Microsoft security certification, who works well on their own in a complex, regulated enterprise environment. Requirements Role Summary This is a mid-tier, hands-on Azure cloud security engineering role with three focus areas. First, identity-centric Zero Trust: Conditional Access, Identity Protection, Privileged Identity Management and MFA / passwordless in Microsoft Entra ID. Second, threat protection: deploying and optimising Defender for Cloud, Endpoint, Identity and, where applicable, Office 365. Third, security operations: designing and implementing Microsoft Sentinel, including connectors, analytics rules, workbooks and SOAR automation. The role is a contract with an urgent start and a hybrid working model with limited time on site. The Environment A regulated retail banking environment within a large South African retail group Microsoft Azure as the cloud platform, with secure landing zones and guardrails Microsoft Entra ID as the identity platform, moving toward identity-centric Zero Trust The Microsoft Defender suite (Cloud, Endpoint, Identity and Office 365) for threat protection Microsoft Sentinel as the SIEM / SOAR platform, with Logic Apps for incident automation Security controls aligned to Zero Trust, CIS and NIST frameworks Hybrid working model: Pretoria (Centurion preferred) or Cape Town, with infrequent office attendance DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Zero Trust Architecture Design and implement Zero Trust security architectures across Azure environments Implement security controls aligned to Microsoft security best practice and frameworks such as Zero Trust, CIS and NIST Identity & Access (Microsoft Entra ID) Configure and manage Conditional Access policies Configure Identity Protection and risk-based policies Implement and manage Privileged Identity Management (PIM) Roll out MFA and passwordless authentication Threat Protection (Microsoft Defender) Deploy, configure and optimise Defender for Cloud, Defender for Endpoint and Defender for Identity Deploy and configure Defender for Office 365 where applicable Security Operations (Microsoft Sentinel) Design and implement Microsoft Sentinel SIEM solutions Onboard data connectors, including third-party security tools Build analytics rules and detection logic Build workbooks and dashboards Automate incident response with Logic Apps / SOAR playbooks Cloud Platform & Collaboration Support secure cloud landing zones and guardrails Work closely with infrastructure, cloud and security teams to embed security-by-design Provide technical documentation and knowledge transfer where required Required Experience and Skills Must-have 3–5 years’ hands-on Azure cloud security engineering experience (the client will also consider junior profiles with 1–3 years and the same skills) Proven experience designing and implementing Zero Trust security models and identity-centric security controls Strong, practical experience with Microsoft Entra ID (Conditional Access, Identity Protection, PIM, MFA / passwordless) Strong, practical experience with the Microsoft Defender suite Strong, practical experience with Microsoft Sentinel (connectors, analytics rules, workbooks, Logic Apps / SOAR automation) Experience working in enterprise or regulated environments Able to work independently in a contract / delivery role Required Certifications (current / active) One or more of: Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500), Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200), or Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300) Advantageous Additional security or cloud certifications, such as CCSP Infrastructure as code (ARM, Bicep or Terraform) Familiarity with Azure networking and hybrid environments Experience integrating third-party security tools into Sentinel Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills Financial services or banking experience Who we are: