Description:

The Senior Technology Architect role requires deep knowledge, expertise, and experience in cyber security frameworks and controls designed to mitigate the impact of evolving cyber threats. The role also requires a strong understanding of online privacy and cyber safety, particularly as it pertains to minors and the K–12 education sector. In addition, the resource must possess hands-on experience in mapping, drafting, developing, and aligning cyber security models, standards, and technical and non-technical playbooks, particularly within the K-12 education sector, preferably in Ontario. Establishing a common and tailored framework, set of standards, and policies to K-12 will provide a consistent, unified approach to cyber security and cyber resilience in the sector and across all school boards, enabling opportunities for collaboration and shared approaches to demonstrating assurance, compliance, and defending against cyber threats to the K–12 sector.

This resource is responsible for, but not limited to:

• Contributing to the development of a tailored cyber security framework for the K-12 education sector grounded in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v2 and CIS Controls v8, while incorporating relevant elements from other industry standards such as COBIT and ISO.
  
• Developing and documenting standards and guidance resources for priority cyber security, privacy protection, and online safety controls specific to the K–12 education sector.
  
• Providing hands-on subject matter expertise and implementation guidance and support to facilitate the adoption of cyber security frameworks, standards, and policies across school boards.
  
• Ensuring alignment with modern governance, risk and compliance (GRC) programs, security operations (SecOps) practices, leveraging next-generation solutions and practices such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.
  
• Collaborating with government partners, including departments in the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, including the Ontario Cyber Security Division, to align with broader OPS and BPS cyber security priorities and ensure integration with related initiatives as may be underway at a corporate level.
  
• Engaging with a diverse stakeholder audience through presentations and consultations to gather feedback and foster alignment.
  
• Providing regular status updates and project reports on assigned deliverables
  
• Aligning with industry and legislative advancements at the federal, provincial/local level (e.g. Bill 194, Enhancing Digital Security and Trust Act, 2024 (EDSTA)).
  
• Delivering on other duties as assigned.
  
• This work involves working in close partnership with various government departments and the K-12 education sector. The resource may need to travel the same day or overnight in Ontario.
  
• The unit manager may assign other related board work for other unit or branch initiatives, as required.
  

Experience and Skill Set Requirements:

Skill Set Requirements:

Cyber Security and Privacy:

• 10+ years of experience mapping and adapting cyber security frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF v2, CIS Controls v8, COBIT, ISO/IEC 27001) for organizations of similar size and complexity to Ontario school boards.
  
• 10+ years of experience integrating cyber security frameworks and controls into enterprise risk management, governance structures, and organizational practices, including change management.
  
• 10+ years of experience conducting security assessments and developing cyber security and online privacy policies, standards, and guidelines—preferably within the public or broader public sector.
  
• Demonstrated experience applying privacy frameworks such as NIST Privacy Framework v1.1 and ISO/IEC 27701 is highly desirable.
  
• Demonstrated experience in cyber/online safety analysis and the development of related policies and standards is highly desirable.
  
• Experience with capability maturity models such as CMMI and CMMC is considered an asset.
  
• Strong knowledge of applicable legislation, including the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA); familiarity with the Education Act is desirable.
  
• Awareness of IoT and Operational Technology (OT) security issues is considered an asset.
  

Communication Skills and Experience:

• 10+ years of experience delivering presentations to senior leadership, management teams, and external stakeholders.
  
• 10+ years of experience preparing professional documentation, including security/privacy reports, status updates, recommendations, and briefing notes for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  

Industry Certifications / Relevant Education:

Mandatory: One of the following security certifications:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
  
• Desirable: Privacy certification such as Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP).
  
• Other relevant certifications such as CISA or CASP+ are considered assets.
  

Public Sector Experience:

• 5+ years of hands-on experience working in large public sector environments. Preferably experience working with the Ontario K-12 education sector.
  
• 5+ years of experience applying Ontario's cybersecurity standards, including the GO-ITS 25.x series (Ontario IT Standards).
  
• Knowledge of Government of Ontario relevant legislation (e.g., Bill 194 / EDSTA).