Company Overview
Our client is a long-established, globally regulated financial services group with operations across the UAE, Europe, Asia, and beyond. The organization operates across multi-asset brokerage (FX, CFDs, commodities, and equities), payments, and digital asset platforms, serving a large international client base within highly regulated environments.
As the group continues to scale its technology, trading infrastructure, and digital asset offerings, cybersecurity and information security governance have become a critical priority at the executive level.
Role Overview
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) will lead the group's global cybersecurity strategy, ensuring the protection of trading platforms, payment infrastructure, client data, and digital assets across multiple jurisdictions. This is a highly strategic and hands-on leadership role, requiring deep experience in financial services, brokerage, or crypto environments, with the ability to operate in real-time, high-risk, and regulated ecosystems.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute the group-wide information security and cybersecurity strategy aligned with business growth and regulatory requirements
- Establish and oversee security governance frameworks, policies, and controls across all entities and jurisdictions
- Lead threat detection, incident response, and cyber risk management, particularly across trading systems and digital platforms
- Ensure security of trading infrastructure, including low-latency systems, APIs, and client-facing platforms
- Oversee cloud security, network security, and application security across distributed environments
- Collaborate closely with Technology, Product, Compliance, Risk, and Operations teams to embed security into all systems and processes
- Manage security operations (SOC), penetration testing, vulnerability management, and red teaming activities
- Ensure compliance with global regulatory frameworks (e.g., DFSA, FCA, ASIC, MiCA, GDPR) and cybersecurity standards (ISO 27001, NIST, etc.)
- Lead third-party/vendor risk assessments, particularly for liquidity providers, PSPs, and technology partners
- Provide regular executive-level reporting to senior leadership and the board on cybersecurity posture, risks, and incidents
- Build and lead a high-performing global security team
Requirements
- Proven experience as a CISO, Head of Information Security, or equivalent leadership role
- Strong background within financial services, brokerage (FX/CFDs), fintech, payments, or digital assets/crypto
- Deep understanding of trading platforms, financial systems, and real-time infrastructure risks
- Experience operating in multi-jurisdictional, regulated environments
- Strong knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, CIS, etc.)
- Hands-on experience with cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) and modern security architectures
- Demonstrated experience managing security incidents, breaches, and crisis response
- Ability to operate at both strategic and technical levels
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging C-level executives and regulators
- Relevant certifications preferred (CISSP, CISM, CISA, or similar)
