Technical Security Consultant

As a Technical Security Consultant at Xero, you'll engage closely with engineering teams to provide tactical support and solutions that enhance security practices. This includes developing documentation, tracing potential security issues within codebases, and teaching other team members about best practices. You'll also lead specific security initiatives and help create new industry standards for security.

To thrive as a Technical Security Consultant at Xero, you should possess a strong foundational knowledge of security principles and some experience in technology research. Familiarity with web services and application development, along with knowledge in Linux/Unix and hands-on experience with AWS, will set you up for success. Additionally, having a drive for continuous learning and self-improvement will be beneficial.

Xero is committed to nurturing your career as a Technical Security Consultant through extensive mentoring programs and opportunities for professional growth. You'll also have access to various resources, including workshops, courses, and collaborative projects that encourage you to become a subject matter expert in your desired technology niche.

The uniqueness of the Technical Security Consultant role at Xero lies in its focus on people and collaboration. Unlike many roles that operate from an abstract level, this position emphasizes hands-on support, teamwork, and fostering an ever-learning culture. You'll have the chance to interact directly with developers and influence real-world security practices, making a lasting impact.

As a Technical Security Consultant at Xero, you can look forward to generous paid leave, health and wellness programs, and comprehensive medical insurance. You'll also enjoy flexible working arrangements, an Employee Assistance Program for mental health support, and 26 weeks of paid parental leave, reflecting our commitment to your well-being and work-life balance.

Discuss specific experiences where you applied security practices, emphasizing both offensive and defensive methods. Highlight your familiarity with security methodologies and how you contributed to improving security protocols.

Provide a specific example where you detected a security issue, detailing the steps you took to analyze, report, and resolve it. Focus on your problem-solving skills and collaboration with development teams.

Discuss your strategies for keeping abreast of security trends, such as participating in webinars, following industry blogs, and joining professional groups. Mention any certifications you may be pursuing to enhance your skills.

Explain your process for creating clear and actionable documentation that is accessible to team members. Emphasize the importance of maintaining updated materials that reflect best practices and lessons learned.

Highlight your belief in the power of teamwork, particularly with engineering teams. Share instances where collaboration led to effective security solutions and stronger relationships across departments.

Discuss how rapidly evolving technologies and increasing threats create challenges for security consultants. Emphasize the need for continuous learning and adapting to stay effective.

Outline your strategic approach to leading an initiative, including goal setting, stakeholder engagement, implementation, and measurement of success. Provide a hypothetical example to illustrate your vision.

Share specific techniques you employ, such as hands-on training, workshops, or creating engaging materials that address different learning styles. Mention the positive results from previously teaching teams.

Emphasize the critical role secure best practices play in protecting customer data and maintaining trust. Share your perspective on how advocating for security contributes to overall business integrity.

List the technologies you're most skilled in, such as cloud services, firewalls, or specific security tools. Provide examples of projects where you effectively utilized these technologies.