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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our SOC team to monitor and respond to cyber threats daily.
- Company: Be part of a dynamic security operations team in Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension, healthcare, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Advance your career in cyber defence with hands-on experience and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Previous SOC Analyst experience and strong knowledge of SIEM tools required.
- Other info: Work onsite in a supportive environment, 5 days a week.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 56000 £ per year.
Job Description
About the Role
We are seeking a skilled SOC Analyst to join our growing in-house security operations team on a permanent basis in Manchester. This is a fantastic opportunity to be at the heart of cyber defence operations, working hands-on with SIEM tools and ensuring compliance with Cyber Essentials standards.
You’ll play a key role in monitoring, detecting, and responding to threats, while continuously improving our security posture and supporting the wider IT security strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor, triage, and investigate alerts generated by SIEM and security monitoring platforms.
- Conduct log analysis and threat hunting to proactively identify suspicious activity.
- Support incident response efforts including containment, investigation, and remediation.
- Ensure security processes align with Cyber Essentials and other best practice frameworks.
- Optimise SIEM tooling for enhanced visibility and detection capability.
- Produce clear reporting and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Collaborate with IT and security colleagues to strengthen organisational defences.
Skills & Experience Required
- Previous experience as a SOC Analyst or in a security operations role.
- Strong hands-on knowledge of SIEM platforms (e.g., Splunk, Sentinel, QRadar, or similar).
- Understanding of Cyber Essentials and broader security standards.
- Knowledge of incident response, intrusion detection, and threat analysis.
- Familiarity with endpoint security, IDS/IPS, firewalls, and vulnerability management.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive, analytical mindset.
- Comfortable working onsite, 5 days a week in Manchester.
What’s on Offer
- Salary: £50,000 – £70,000 (depending on experience)
- Benefits: Competitive package including pension, healthcare, and training opportunities
- Onsite role within a collaborative SOC environment
- Exposure to advanced security tooling and real-world incident response
👉 If you’re passionate about cyber defence and want to advance your career as part of a dedicated SOC team in Manchester, we’d love to hear from you.
SOC Analyst - Permanent employer: Explore Group
Contact Detail:
Explore Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SOC Analyst - Permanent
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific SIEM tools mentioned in the job description, such as Splunk or QRadar. Having hands-on experience or even completing relevant online courses can give you a significant edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends and threats in cybersecurity. Being able to discuss recent incidents or emerging threats will demonstrate your passion and knowledge in the field, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current SOC professionals through platforms like LinkedIn or local meetups. Engaging with others in the field can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical interviews by practising common SOC scenarios and incident response strategies. Being able to articulate your thought process during a simulated incident can showcase your problem-solving skills effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace SOC Analyst - Permanent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a SOC Analyst or in security operations. Emphasise your hands-on knowledge of SIEM platforms and any familiarity with Cyber Essentials standards.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cyber defence. Mention specific experiences where you monitored, triaged, or investigated alerts, and how you contributed to incident response efforts.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your skills related to incident response, threat analysis, and security monitoring. Use examples to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and analytical mindset.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in the field of cybersecurity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Explore Group
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with SIEM tools like Splunk or QRadar. Highlight specific instances where you've monitored, triaged, or investigated alerts, as this will demonstrate your practical knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
✨Understand Cyber Essentials
Familiarise yourself with the Cyber Essentials framework and be ready to explain how it applies to the role. Discuss any previous experiences where you ensured compliance with security standards, as this will show your commitment to maintaining a strong security posture.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your incident response skills. Prepare to walk through how you would handle specific scenarios, such as a detected intrusion or a security breach. This will help interviewers gauge your analytical mindset and decision-making process.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with IT and security colleagues, be sure to highlight your teamwork skills. Share examples of how you've collaborated in past roles to strengthen organisational defences, as this will illustrate your ability to work effectively in a team environment.
