Product Owner for Network Security

IntroductionWe are seeking a Product Owner for Network Security to drive the standardization, lifecyclemanagement, and roadmap of core security services across the enterprise. This role will focus onensuring that firewall platforms are modern, standardized, and vendor strategies are optimized;that remote and partner access is seamless and secure; and that security controls and compliancerequirements are consistently embedded in operations.The Product Owner will partner closely with Business Units, CISO, Hybrid Cloud, andNetwork Product teams to prioritize initiatives, deliver secure access capabilities, and integratecompliance automation into day-to-day operations. The successful candidate will combinetechnical depth with strong product management skills to influence strategy, define features, andoversee execution in a complex global environment.Your Role And ResponsibilitiesOwn the product vision, roadmap, and backlog for enterprise firewall services, including lifecycle management, feature evaluation, and vendor alignment.Define and manage access solutions to support remote work, partner integration, and IBMers accessing partner environments, including special cases such as M&A transitions.Ensure security and compliance requirements are built into every product release, including automation of controls, policy enforcement, and quarterly reporting.Partner with stakeholders across CISO, Cloud, and Network teams to align on priorities and deliver secure, scalable, and compliant solutions.Track and communicate product KPIs such as policy adoption, risk reduction, compliance posture, and service availability.Drive simplification and standardization of firewall and access policies to improve resilience and user experience.Identify opportunities for automation and efficiency in both firewall operations and compliance reporting.Preferred EducationMaster's DegreeRequired Technical And Professional Expertise7+ years of experience in network security, firewalls, or access management, with at least 3 years in a product owner or product management role.Strong understanding of firewall technologies, lifecycle management, and vendor ecosystems.Experience managing access solutions in complex enterprises, including remote access, partner connectivity, and M&A integrations.Familiarity with security and compliance standards (CIS, NIST, ISO 27001) and their operational application.Proven ability to manage product roadmaps and backlogs, balance priorities, and deliver measurable outcomes in cross-functional settings.Excellent communication skills to influence technical and executive stakeholders.Preferred Technical And Professional ExperienceHands-on experience with multi-vendor firewall platforms (Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet, etc.) and cloud-native firewalls.Background in hybrid cloud (AWS, Azure, IBM Cloud, GCP).Experience automating compliance reporting and controls validation.Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or Certified Scrum Product Owner.