Solutions Architect, Cybersecurity

ROLE PURPOSE

The Solutions Architect – Cybersecurity will be responsible for delivering high-impact technical engagement, solution design, and sales enablement in Nigeria and Ghana, with a primary execution focus of:

• 60% End-Customer technical engagement (POCs, workshops, demos, solution architecture)

• 40% Cybersecurity System Integrator partner enablement (training, deal shaping, capability uplift)

The role supports Westcon’s aggressive cybersecurity growth strategy by technically enabling sales teams, partners, and customers across the region. This includes multi-vendor expertise, aligning with Westcon’s regional cybersecurity vendor

portfolio and technical ecosystem.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Technical Solutions Design / Pre-Sales Engagement (End-Customer – 60%)

• Lead discovery sessions, requirements gathering, and solution-fit assessments for enterprise and mid-market

customers.

• Design and architect cybersecurity solutions spanning NGFW, SASE, ZTNA, WAF, ADC, SIEM/SOAR, endpoint

security, cloud security and secure access.

• Deliver impactful demos, product deep-dives, and executive-level technical workshops.

• Lead and execute Proof of Concepts (POCs) and lab simulations (3D Labs), ensuring technical win paths.

• Respond to RFP/RFQ technical sections and develop detailed solution documentation.

• Provide post-POC recommendations and architecture validation.

B. Partner (SI) Enablement & Channel Support (40%)

• Conduct SI partner enablement sessions, certifications support, run-rate sales technical coaching.

• Support partner bid-response, opportunity scoping and competitive differentiation.

• Guide partners on best-practice architectures and vendor program compliance.

• Strengthen reseller capability in targeted cybersecurity technologies.

(Aligned with similar responsibility patterns in Junior Presales role)

C. Vendor Collaboration

• Engage Vendor Solution Architects at assigned major Vendor to ensure best-fit architectures, competitive

positioning, and solution accuracy.

• Work with vendor teams on POCs, roadmap reviews, certifications and advanced escalation needs.

• Support Westcon’s vendor QBRs, pipeline reviews, and enablement calendars where needed.

D. Sales Team & Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with Westcon BDMs, Sales Account Managers and Channel Managers to support technical

qualification and deal strategy.

• Provide technical updates, competitive insights, and participate in opportunity reviews.

(Collaboration pattern validated from Westcon’s presales interactions)

• Maintain accurate presales activity reporting, demo kit management, and dashboard contributions.

E. Demonstration & Lab Environment Management

• Manage NFR/demo equipment and lab environments including Palo Alto, Cisco, F5, Fortinet.

• Prepare and maintain configurations for demos and POCs.

• Track demo utilization and support reporting requirements.

(Aligned with demo gear management expectations in prior RFI documents)

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

• Successful POC conversions and technical wins.

• Partner enablement scorecard (certifications, competency uplift, deal registrations).

• Pipeline influenced by presales activities (quality, velocity).

• Customer satisfaction and feedback from demos/workshops.

• Vendor technical competency compliance (certifications, specializations).

• Internal SLA adherence: proposal turnaround, presales response times.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Academic

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, IT, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or equivalent.

Experience

• 5–8+ years technical experience in cybersecurity engineering, presales or solution architecture.

• Hands-on expertise in at least two of the following vendors:

o Palo Alto Networks (NGFW, Panorama, Prisma Access/Cloud)

o F5 Networks (LTM, ASM, APM, AWAF)

o Cisco Security (Firepower, ISE, Umbrella, Duo, ASA/FTD)

o Fortinet (FortiGate, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiWeb)

• Demonstrated experience delivering complex POCs, solution design, and SI partner enablement.

• Strong exposure to enterprise verticals (financial services, telecom, government, energy).

• Experience working with distributors or vendors is a strong advantage.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of cybersecurity frameworks: NIST, MITRE ATT\&CK, Zero Trust.

• Strong architectural design capabilities (network security, cloud security, endpoint, SOC tooling).

• Excellent troubleshooting and diagnostic capability.

Soft Skills

• Executive-level presentation and communication skills.

• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts.

• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration (sales, vendor, partner).

• Self-driven, organized, with strong documentation discipline.

CERTIFICATIONS (Highly Recommended)

Vendor Certifications

• Palo Alto Networks: PCNSE / PCCSE

• F5 Networks: F5-CTS, F5-CA

• Cisco Security: CCNP Security, CCIE Security (advantage)

• Fortinet: NSE 4–7 (NSE 8 advantage)

General Cybersecurity Certifications

• CEH, CompTIA Security+, CySA+, CISSP (advantage)

• Cloud security certifications (AWS Security, Azure Security Engineer) beneficial.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strong passion for cybersecurity innovation.

• High sense of ownership and bias for action.

• Comfortable in a fast-paced, multi-vendor environment.

• Strong cultural awareness of the Eastern Africa business landscape.