Network Security Architect at Datacentrix

• Datacentrix is seeking a highly skilled Network Security Architect to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in network infrastructure, security, and cloud technologies, coupled with strong business acumen and the ability to design scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions. This role requires an individual who can seamlessly bridge technical strategy with business objectives, collaborating across teams, vendors, and leadership to drive innovative network and security architectures.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Matric plus a relevant IT diploma/degree (or equivalent experience).
• CCNA certification
• At least 4 years of experience in technical architecture or related roles.
• Relevant professional certifications are advantageous, such as:
• CCNP or equivalent networking certification
• Palo Alto PCNSA certification
• Cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect)
• CompTIA Security+ or equivalent security certifications
• Hands-on experience with firewall technologies (Palo Alto preferred) and multi-vendor network troubleshooting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Solution Design & Architecture: Design comprehensive technical solutions that meet business requirements, produce detailed technical documentation and architecture diagrams, evaluate and recommend appropriate technologies, and ensure all solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with business goals.
• Research & Development: Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends, conduct proof-of-concepts, and assess the viability and ROI of new solutions to enhance business performance.
• Network Infrastructure & Security: Design scalable network architectures with a focus on performance, reliability, and integrated security. Architect firewall topologies (including NGFW and WAF), develop zero-trust frameworks, implement network segmentation strategies, and design secure cloud connectivity patterns.
• Business Collaboration: Work closely with business stakeholders to gather and interpret requirements, translate complex technical concepts into clear, business-friendly language, and present solutions effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Vendor Management & Support: Engage and manage multiple technology vendors, evaluate products and services, negotiate technical specifications, and serve as the key technical liaison for vendor-led implementations.
• Incident Response & Support: Provide technical expertise during security incidents and outages, collaborate with security teams on investigations, participate in post-incident reviews, and document preventive measures.