Security Specialist - Akamai Security Suite Administrator

Position OverviewAt PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the best experience for our customers. We work together each day to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all of our employees feel respected, valued and have an opportunity to contribute to the company’s success. As a Security Specialist within PNC's Technology organization, you will be based in Pittsburgh, PA; Cleveland, OH; Birmingham, AL; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO or Phoenix, AZ.The Akamai Security Suite Administrator is responsible for managing, configuring, and optimizing Akamai’s security solutions to protect web applications, APIs, and digital infrastructure from cyber threats. This role involves deploying and maintaining tools like the Akamai Kona Site Defender, Web Application Firewall (WAF), Bot Manager, and DDoS mitigation services. The administrator collaborates with IT, security, and development teams to ensure robust protection, high performance, and seamless user experiences across enterprise digital assets- Monitor and review security dashboards and logs to identify threats, anomalies, or performance issues, responding promptly to incidents like DDoS attacks or bot-driven abuse. - Fine-tune security policies to balance protection with performance, minimizing false positives and ensuring legitimate traffic flows smoothly. - Analyze traffic patterns and threat intelligence to proactively update security configurations and mitigate emerging risks. - Collaborate with development teams to integrate Akamai security into CI/CD pipelines and ensure secure application delivery. - Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to security configurations, content delivery, or application performance impacted by Akamai settings. - Maintain documentation of security policies, incident reports, and configuration changes for compliance and auditing purposes. - Stay current on cybersecurity trends, Akamai product updates, and best practices to recommend improvements or new features for adoption. - Liaise with Akamai support and account teams to resolve complex issues or escalate critical incidents. Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or equivalent experience. - 3+ years of experience in network security, cloud security, or web application administration. - Hands-on experience with Akamai security tools (e.g., Kona Site Defender, WAF, Bot Manager) or similar CDN/security platforms is highly preferred. - Strong understanding of web protocols, application security, and cloud infrastructure. - Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond to security incidents under pressure. Technical Skills: - Akamai Security Suite Expertise: Proficiency in configuring and managing Akamai Kona Site Defender, WAF, Bot Manager, and DDoS mitigation tools. Familiarity with Akamai’s Edge platform is a plus. - Web Security Knowledge: Deep understanding of OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, XSS), HTTP/HTTPS protocols, and SSL/TLS encryption. - Network Fundamentals: Solid grasp of TCP/IP, DNS, load balancing, and CDN operations to optimize security and performance. - Threat Detection and Mitigation: Ability to analyze traffic logs, recognize attack patterns (e.g., DDoS, botnets), and implement countermeasures. - Scripting and Automation: Experience with scripting languages like Python, Bash, or JavaScript to automate tasks or integrate Akamai with other systems. - Cloud and DevOps Tools: Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and tools like Terraform or Ansible for infrastructure management. - Monitoring and Analytics: Competence with tools like Splunk, ELK Stack, or Akamai’s own dashboards for real-time monitoring and reporting. Soft Skills: - Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to troubleshoot complex security or performance issues and devise effective solutions. - Attention to Detail: Precision in configuring policies to avoid over-blocking legitimate users or missing critical threats. - Collaboration: Ability to work cross-functionally with developers, network engineers, and security analysts to align on goals. - Communication: Clear articulation of technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and documentation of processes for team use. - Adaptability: Quick learning curve to keep up with evolving threats and Akamai product updates. Preferred Certifications: - Akamai Certified Professional (e.g., Akamai Security Specialist) - Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - CompTIA Security+ - AWS Certified Solutions Architect or similar cloud certificationsPNC is an in-office company that fosters a supportive culture where employees can thrive and achieve balance. We encourage candidates to connect with their recruiter and hiring manager to understand workplace expectations and ensure the role aligns with their goals. PNC will not provide sponsorship for employment visas or participate in STEM OPT for this position.Job DescriptionProvides technical evaluation and analysis in a specific Security area. Supports activities, process, and tools needed to improve overall security posture of the organization. Primary responsibilities do not include Architect or Engineering responsibilities.Applies security concepts, reviews information, executes defined tasks, analyzes requirements, reviews logs, and creates documentation. Performs investigation and data loss prevention, data manipulation, and coordination of activities. Performs actions to address or mitigate risks and vulnerabilities. Reviews and defines controls.Advises on more complex security procedures and products for clients, security administrators and network operations. Participates in enforcement of control security risks and threats; potential of one more controls subject to manager discretion. Shares knowledge with staff.Conducts security assessments and other information security routi