At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape security architecture and conduct design reviews in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Leading global financial services firm undergoing exciting transformation.
- Benefits: Highly competitive salary, bonuses, and fantastic financial services benefits.
- Other info: Fast-moving culture with opportunities for real ownership and growth.
- Why this job: Join a lean team and make a real impact on security architecture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Security Architect with strong Azure knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
A leading global financial services firm is building out its security architecture function and looking for a strong Security Architect to join a lean, fast-moving team at a genuinely interesting moment. The firm is mid-transformation: cloud migration, a Zero Trust programme, and a growing AI security agenda. There is real work to do, and real scope to shape how security architecture is delivered across the business.
The role
You will conduct security design reviews end to end, perform threat modelling, author security standards and patterns, and provide architecture consultancy to project teams across the business. You will build deep knowledge of a specific business division while remaining part of a central, shared team. This is not a governance role. You will need to know your technology well enough to have real conversations with engineers and shape solutions, not just review them.
What they are looking for
The ideal profile sits between pure theorist and hands-on practitioner. Close to technology, technically credible, and operating confidently at architecture level.
- Currently working as a Security Architect, not transitioning from SecOps or engineering
- Strong Azure and Microsoft cloud knowledge, including identity, networking, and workload protection
- Solid IAM background covering federation, SSO, MFA, and privileged access
- Experience in a regulated environment, either financial services or consultancy with FS clients
- Proven threat modelling and security design review experience, with the ability to write clear security standards
Strong differentiators:
- Awareness of AI and LLM security risks (a live priority here, not a future one)
- Network segmentation, Zero Trust, and SASE/SSE experience, SABSA certification
The environment
This firm moves fast. If you are used to a large architecture team where everyone owns a small slice of a long process, this probably is not the right fit. If you want breadth, real ownership, and the chance to build something properly, it is worth a conversation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Security Architect (Contract) in London
✨Get Active on Cybersecurity Forums
Join platforms like Stack Exchange and Reddit’s r/cybersecurity to hang out with industry pros, learn the latest, and share your insights. This will not only boost your visibility but also help you connect with potential clients who might need your freelance services.
✨Show Off Your Skills with Public Projects
Create a few open-source projects or contribute to existing ones that showcase your cybersecurity skills. Use GitHub to display your work, as this is an excellent way to attract clients looking for freelancers with a proven track record.
✨Attend Local Conferences and Meetups
Make sure to hit up cybersecurity meetups, workshops, and conferences in your area. These events are goldmines for networking, and you’ll often find people looking for freelancers after a chat over a coffee – so come prepared with your business cards and a killer elevator pitch!
✨Market Yourself Smartly
Set up a professional website that showcases your portfolio, expertise, and client testimonials. Optimise it for SEO with relevant keywords so potential clients searching for cybersecurity freelancers can easily find you. Don’t forget to link to your site on all your social media and profiles!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Security Architect (Contract) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Skills Through a Strong Portfolio:Since you're applying for a freelance role in cybersecurity, it's crucial to showcase your technical skills through a detailed portfolio. Include case studies of projects you've worked on, any security tools you've developed or assessed, and specifics on the methodologies you’ve used. This will help ARC IT Recruitment understand what you're capable of.
Certifications Matter!:Make sure to list any relevant certifications you hold, such as CISSP, CEH, or CompTIA Security+. Freelance clients often value these credentials as they reflect your expertise and commitment to the field. If you’re actively pursuing more certifications, don’t hesitate to mention that too!
Rates, Availability, and Your Work Style:In your application, it’s essential to be clear about your freelance rates and availability. Clients appreciate transparency. Mention how many hours a week you can dedicate and your preferred working hours, as this sets expectations from the start and shows you're organised and professional.
Tailor Your CV to Highlight Cybersecurity Experience:When crafting your CV, make sure to tailor it specifically to cybersecurity. Highlight projects, tasks, and achievements related to security assessments, vulnerabilities you've mitigated, or compliance work you've undertaken. Keywords relevant to the job can grab attention and increase your chances of landing a spot at ARC IT Recruitment.
How to prepare for a job interview at ARC IT Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Cybersecurity Skills
As a freelancer in cybersecurity, it’s crucial we demonstrate not just our knowledge but our practical skills too. Be ready to discuss specific tools you’ve used, like Wireshark or Metasploit, and share relevant experiences where you identified vulnerabilities or mitigated risks in past projects.
✨Prepare Your Portfolio
Unlike traditional roles, freelancing relies heavily on your portfolio. Let’s curate a selection of past work that showcases our best projects. If we’ve handled penetration tests, audits, or incident responses, be sure to highlight these in your portfolio, and share any client testimonials if we have them.
✨Stay Updated on Trends and Tools
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so we should be prepared to chat about recent developments and how they impact our work. Familiarise ourselves with the latest threats, tools, and frameworks, like MITRE ATT&CK, that are pertinent to the projects we’re pitching.
✨Pitching Your Value as a Freelancer
When freelancing, we often need to negotiate our rates and value propositions. Be ready to explain how our skills can help ARC IT Recruitment protect their assets and manage risks. It can help to outline some potential strategies or improvements we could implement for them based on their current setup.
