At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cybersecurity operations and strategy, ensuring robust protection against threats.
- Company: Join ALKU, a top-rated staffing firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and unique perks like student loan reimbursement.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid role with opportunities for mentorship and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in information security with strong networking and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 180000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid role based in Andover, MA with flexibility for remote work. Fast-paced, collaborative culture with opportunity for professional growth. Occasional after-hours availability required for critical incidents or on-call coverage.
Pay: $150,000 - $180,000
About ALKU
Your next big career move starts here, join us at an organization that has been voted Best Place to Work for the past decade. Join one of the fastest-growing, top-rated staffing firms in the country. ALKU is a specialized consulting and staffing firm that connects exceptional talent with organizations across Technology, Life Sciences, Healthcare IT, Government, and other highly specialized industries.
What You'll Do
- You will own ALKU’s day-to-day cybersecurity operations and long-term security strategy, serving as the primary internal liaison to our Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) and our Managed Service Provider (MSP).
- Drive and maintain ALKU’s cybersecurity roadmap and controls, aligning initiatives with business risk and priorities.
- Establish and communicate security policies, standards, and procedures across the organization.
- Report on security posture and program maturity to senior leadership.
- Help drive risk assessments, remediation planning, and evaluate security investments and vendors.
- Serve as ALKU’s primary point of contact with MSSP and MSP managing alert tuning, detection coverage, response playbooks, and regular business reviews.
- Ensure SLAs and security commitments from both partners are met.
- Oversee detection, triage, escalation, and response to security incidents.
- Partner with MSP to maintain ALKU’s incident response plan, tabletop exercise program, and post-incident review process.
- Provide on-call escalation support during high-severity incidents; occasional after-hours availability required.
- Analyze security data, alerts, and logs to identify risks and trends; maintain up-to-date awareness of the evolving threat landscape.
- Work with MSP and MSSP to tune Automatic Response Plays, SIEM and EDR tooling to reduce noise and improve detection.
- General understanding of networking expertise to assess and improve ALKU’s security architecture.
- Review and advise on network changes, cloud connectivity, remote access design, and firewall rule sets in partnership with the MSP.
- Work with MSP to oversee Microsoft 365 and Entra ID (Azure AD) security configuration, Conditional Access, and MFA enforcement.
- Assess and advise on cloud security posture across Azure, SaaS platforms, and custom applications at ALKU.
- Lead the security awareness training program including phishing simulations and role-based education.
- Maintain accurate security incident records, documentation, and audit-ready evidence libraries.
- Prepare regular security reports for internal stakeholders.
What We're Looking For
Required- 7+ years of progressive information security experience, with 2–3+ years in a senior or lead role.
- Networking knowledge: IP, routing/switching, firewall architecture, VPN, VLANs, DNS, IDS/IPS.
- Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms, EDR tools, and threat detection/response workflows.
- Experience managing or overseeing MSSPs and/or MSPs in an enterprise or mid-market environment.
- Strong command of the Microsoft 365 security stack: Defender suite, Entra ID, Conditional Access.
- Ability to develop security strategy and communicate risk clearly to non-technical leadership.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Information Technology, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- CISSP, CISM, CCNP Security, CompTIA CASP+, or equivalent certification.
- Experience with SASE, SD-WAN, or Zero Trust network architecture.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Sentinel, Defender compliance tooling.
- Cloud security experience (Azure, AWS a plus).
- Familiarity with CMMC 2.0 or NIST Controls.
What We Provide
- Comprehensive onboarding and training from day one.
- Dedicated mentorship and coaching.
- Clear career progression and opportunities for internal advancement.
The Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Competitive 401(k) match.
- Equity plan.
- PTO package, plus birthdays off and volunteer time off.
- Paid holidays.
- Student Loan Reimbursement after one year as a full-time employee.
- Childcare reimbursement.
- Fitness reimbursement.
- A variety of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
Physical requirements
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
What Happens Next
Apply, and you'll hear from an Internal Recruiter within 1–4 business days if you're a match.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ALKU is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and provided equal employment opportunities.
Information Security Engineer in Andover employer: ALKU
ALKU is an exceptional employer that champions a competitive yet collaborative work culture, where high-energy sales professionals can thrive. With comprehensive training, mentorship, and uncapped commission opportunities, employees are empowered to take charge of their careers while enjoying a range of benefits including PTO, health care, and unique perks like student loan reimbursement. Recognised as one of the best places to work for entry-level employees, ALKU fosters personal and professional growth in a dynamic environment that celebrates success and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Information Security Engineer in Andover
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including ALKU, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through ALKU
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at ALKU. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Information Security Engineer in Andover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at ALKU insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to ALKU that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at ALKU
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at ALKU to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at ALKU.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.