Junior IT Security Engineer Opportunity at Dis-Chem

Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited is seeking an ambitious and technically minded Junior IT Security Engineer to join its corporate cyber security operations team. In this dynamic role, you will assist in safeguarding Dis-Chem's extensive retail, corporate, and healthcare technology infrastructure against emerging digital threats, vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access. This role is a prime opportunity for a motivated technology graduate or junior security analyst looking to forge a solid career in enterprise information security.

As part of the IT infrastructure and security team, you will participate in monitoring security alerts, evaluating endpoint protections, and supporting security incident response routines. Dis-Chem provides a collaborative, enterprise-scale IT environment where junior engineers receive continuous exposure to modern threat intelligence tools, firewall management, and strict data privacy compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities & Core Duties

• Monitor security information and event management (SIEM) consoles to detect, triage, and flag security anomalies.
• Assist in routine vulnerability assessments and penetration testing reviews across enterprise hardware and web applications.
• Support endpoint security operations, including antivirus agent health, patch deployment verification, and unauthorized software detection.
• Investigate suspected phishing emails, anomalous login attempts, and policy violations alongside senior security engineers.
• Assist with identity and access management reviews, ensuring adherence to the principle of least privilege across user accounts.
• Contribute to the compilation of security incident reports and assist in maintaining security documentation and operational playbooks.

Ideal Candidate Profile & Core Attributes

• Deep passion for cyber security, network defense mechanisms, and ethical hacking methodologies.
• Curious and persistent investigative approach to diagnosing technical anomalies and tracking suspicious system events.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and adherence to ethical standards and strict data governance principles.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional IT teams and document operational findings.

Learning, Mentorship & Career Progression

At Dis-Chem, junior security engineers work directly with seasoned cybersecurity specialists, gaining hands-on exposure to enterprise cloud security, network architecture, and POPIA/regulatory compliance. The role offers a springboard for professional growth toward senior roles such as Cyber Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, or Information Security Architect.

Estimated Salary Range (Market Benchmark)

The hiring employer has not officially specified a salary for this position. Based on South African market data and industry benchmarks for a junior IT security engineer or tech graduate role, the estimated remuneration is approximately R15,000 – R25,000 per month. Please note that this is an industry estimate and actual remuneration will be determined by the employer based on qualifications, experience, and internal pay structures.

How to Apply & Submission Guidelines

Eligible candidates should submit their application online via the official Dis-Chem job vacancy portal link. Ensure your updated curriculum vitae, technical certifications, and academic qualifications are submitted. Only candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be contacted for technical assessments.

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree, Advanced Diploma, or National Diploma in Information Technology, Computer Science, or Cyber Security.
• Understanding of foundational networking protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, VPNs) and operating system security (Windows, Linux).
• Familiarity with cybersecurity concepts, firewalls, antivirus, and incident management; certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Network+, or CEH are an advantage.
• Strong analytical problem-solving capability and clear professional communication skills.