Associate Director- Security (India & South Asia)

**Introduction** We are seeking an Associate Director - Security, India & South Asia to lead our regional security program across India & South Asia locations, based out of our Bangalore hub.
The role will work closely with the Director Security (APAC & Japan) to translate APAC security strategy into robust on‑ground execution in India and South Asia, ensuring safety of people, protection of assets, incident management, investigations, and compliance with client and regulatory expectations in an IT services environment. **Your role and responsibilities** Key responsibilities • Lead the security operations for India & South Asia, aligning with APAC & Japan security strategy, global standards, and business priorities. • Serve as the primary regional point of contact for the Director Security (APAC & Japan) for all security matters in the India & South Asia region. • Oversee security & compliance operations for corporate offices, delivery centres, Software & Research Labs, and any owned/leased data‑centre or critical facilities in India and South Asia. • Ensure consistent application of global security standards, playbooks, and operating procedures at all sites, including partner / third‑party locations. • Conduct and coordinate regular threat, vulnerability, and security risk assessments across the region, addressing crime, civil unrest, terrorism, insider threats, and environmental risks. • Ensure compliance with corporate security policies, client security clauses, and relevant local regulations through audits, inspections, and timely remediation. • Oversee design, deployment, and lifecycle management of corporate security technologies (CCTV, access control, alarms, visitor management, control rooms) for regional sites in line with APAC & Japan standards. • Partner with real estate, facilities, and IT on new site openings, expansions, and refurbishments to ensure Security is integrated by design. • Manage regional security vendors (guarding, systems integrators, monitoring centres); own contracts, SLAs, performance reviews, and cost optimisation. • Ensure guard‑force deployment and related services are risk‑based and efficient, balancing client expectations and budget. • Incident response and crisis management • Lead or support responses to corporate security incidents (threats to life, workplace violence, protests, theft, vandalism, critical outages) and coordinate with APAC & Japan security leadership during regional crises. • Maintain and test site‑level emergency response, evacuation, and business continuity plans in partnership with facilities, and local leadership. • Investigations and liaison • Oversee or support Corp Sec investigations into incidents, losses, fraud, and policy breaches, working closely with HR, Legal, Compliance, and when needed law‑enforcement. • Build strong relationships with local authorities, industry bodies, and peer corporate security networks in Bangalore and other key cities. • Reporting, metrics, and governance • Produce regular Corp Sec dashboards and reports (KPIs/KRIs, incident trends, audit status) for Director Security (APAC & Japan) and regional leadership. • Participate in APAC security reviews, regional leadership calls, and cross‑functional governance forums as the India & South Asia Corp Sec lead. • People leadership and culture • Lead and mentor a distributed team of site security managers; drive a high‑performance, customer‑focused, and compliant security culture. • Promote corporate security awareness and training programs for employees and contractors, tailored to the IT services environment (delivery centres, hybrid work, client visits). **Required technical and professional expertise** • 18+ years of progressive experience in security with at least 5+ years in regional or multi‑site leadership roles, preferably in tech sector, or large corporate campuses. • Strong experience running corporate security, with exposure to multi‑country or regional scope (South Asia / APAC) a strong plus. • Demonstrated track record in security risk assessment, crisis management, and investigations in complex, high‑growth environments. • Proven experience working in a matrix with regional/global security leaders and cross‑functional partners (Real Estate, Facilities, IT, HR, Legal, Business Operations). Education and certifications • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in security management, risk management, or related field preferred. • Professional certifications such as CPP, PSP, or equivalent corporate security credentials are highly desirable. • Familiarity with global corporate security and risk frameworks and standards commonly applicable to IT / Tech sector (e.g., ISO, SOC, client security requirements). Key skills and competencies • Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills; able to represent India & South Asia Corp Sec posture credibly to APAC & Japan leadership and key clients. • Deep knowledge of corporate security operations, technology, and vendor management in the Indian context, with an ability to scale best practices across South Asia. • Strategic yet hands‑on mindset: comfortable both in designing regional Corp Sec programs and in diving into complex incidents or high‑risk situations when required. • High integrity, discretion, and judgement in handling sensitive corporate security matters and confidential information. IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.