Security Operations Engineer

The Security Operations Engineer at Wise is tasked with monitoring, detecting, responding to, and managing security incidents. This includes building security-focused technical solutions with an emphasis on code quality and architecture. Additionally, they work closely with other platform teams on projects related to detection engineering, threat hunting, incident response, and threat intelligence, ultimately contributing to the creation of a robust Security Operations Center (SOC).

To qualify for the Security Operations Engineer role at Wise, candidates should have experience with large-scale distributed systems, and familiarity with operating systems like Windows, MacOS, or Linux. Expertise with tools such as Elastic, EDR, SIEM, and cloud infrastructure is also essential. Strong problem-solving skills, a passion for learning, and an eagerness to collaborate with team members are key qualifications that Wise values.

Candidates applying for the Security Operations Engineer role at Wise would benefit from experience in programming languages like Python or Go, particularly in designing and maintaining RESTful APIs. Familiarity with regulatory compliance standards such as GDPR and PCI-DSS, and experience working with asynchronous message queues or microservices architecture will also be advantageous.

Wise is committed to nurturing the career growth of its employees, including Security Operations Engineers. They offer an annual self-development budget and provide numerous opportunities for skill enhancement through collaboration with international teams. The inclusive work environment at Wise allows employees to thrive and contribute significantly to the organization’s mission of simplifying global financial transactions.

The work culture for a Security Operations Engineer at Wise is built on collaboration, agility, and inclusivity. Engineers work closely with cross-functional teams, fostering open communication and feedback. Wise prides itself on having a diverse team, believing that inclusive work environments drive innovation and progress, making it an exciting place for those in the field of security.

In answering this question, candidates should highlight their specific experiences with large-scale systems, discussing any projects they've worked on, the technologies they employed, and the challenges they faced. It's crucial to mention how they ensured reliability and performance in these systems, along with the lessons learned from any obstacles.

When discussing how to manage a security incident, candidates should outline their step-by-step approach, starting from detection, then analysis, response, and recovery. It’s beneficial to provide examples of past incidents where they successfully implemented this process and how they communicated with stakeholders during the incident.

Candidates should express their strategies for prioritizing security tasks, emphasizing their ability to assess risks and determine which tasks are critical based on potential impact. Including examples of juggling multiple priorities in past roles will showcase their effectiveness under pressure.

When discussing threat hunting, candidates should provide specific examples of threat-hunting practices they have engaged in, tools they are familiar with, and how these efforts have led to identifying vulnerabilities or security breaches.

Candidates should detail their understanding of relevant regulations, like GDPR or PCI-DSS, and describe specific steps they would take to ensure compliance. This includes regular audits, security assessments, and continuous training for all team members about regulatory requirements.

When answering this question, candidates should specify the security tools they have worked with, explaining how they utilized them in previous roles. They should highlight their familiarity with the tools’ features, how they contributed to overall security posture, and any metrics that demonstrate success.

Candidates should discuss their adherence to best coding practices that foster security, such as code reviews, unit testing, and employing secure coding standards. Highlight experiences where following these practices helped prevent security issues.

Candidates should mention their methods for keeping abreast of industry trends, including attending conferences, subscribing to relevant cybersecurity publications, or participating in online forums. Demonstrating a proactive approach in ongoing education is key.

When answering this question, candidates should narrate a specific incident, detailing the troubleshooting steps they took, the challenges faced, and how they resolved the issue, emphasizing the positive outcome and learned lessons.

Candidates should express their passion for Wise's mission and how their skills align with the role's requirements. This is an opportunity to convey their excitement about contributing to a groundbreaking company and the chance to work on security in a fast-growing fintech environment.