Cyber Security Engineer (Contract) in Haywards Heath

At 1st Central, everything starts with our people.As one of the UK’s leading motor and home insurers, we use smart technology, data and great service to make insurance fast, fair and simple for over 1.4 million customers. We’re proud to create an environment where people feel supported, trusted and able to grow - whether that’s developing new skills, taking on fresh challenges or making a real impact every day. We’re looking for a Cyber Security Engineer to join our Cyber and Information Security team, this technically focused role is responsible for implementing, maintaining and improving specialist cyber security controls, tooling, telemetry and automation across the organisation.Working closely with teams across Technology & Data you’ll ensure that security controls are designed in line with best practice and are effective, scalable and aligned to business and regulatory requirements.We’re big on flexible hybrid working. This role is predominantly home-based, with just one day a week in the office in either Salford Quays (Manchester), Haywards Heath (West Sussex) or Guernsey. Of course, if you’d like to spend more time working alongside the team, you’re always welcome to come into the office more frequently.Cyber Security Engineering: Practical experience in cyber security engineering, security platform engineering, or a closely related technical security role.Microsoft Security Technologies: Hands-on experience with Microsoft security technologies, including Defender XDR, Purview, Sentinel, Defender for Cloud, and Entra security capabilities.Troubleshooting & Analysis: Strong technical troubleshooting and analytical skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve security-related issues.You’ll engineer, configure and maintain cyber security controls across the Microsoft security estate, including Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Entra, Microsoft Purview and associated integrations.You’ll develop and maintain security telemetry, data connectors, alerting integrations, workbooks and technical monitoring coverage across cloud, identity, endpoint, email, applications and agentic services.You’ll implement and maintain technical security policies, baselines and guardrails defined by Information Security, Cyber and Architecture.You’ll work with Cyber and the SOC to translate threat intelligence, incident learning and detection requirements into effective technical controls and monitoring capabilities.You’ll integrate security controls into DevOps and value-stream delivery practices, including relevant security tooling, telemetry and automated control checks.You’ll contribute to the implementation of runtime controls, monitoring, containment and security guardrails for AI agents, autonomous workflows and connected tools.You’ll contribute to the implementation and maintenance of AI defence capabilities.You’ll monitor the health, coverage, effectiveness and lifecycle of cyber security tooling, identifying control gaps, technical debt and opportunities for rationalisation or automation.You’ll provide technical support to cyber incident investigations, threat hunting, control validation and recovery activities when required.You’ll maintain technical documentation, configuration standards, operating procedures and evidence relating to security platforms and controls.You’ll assess proposed technical changes to security tooling and controls, identifying risks, dependencies and implementation requirements.You’ll ensure compliance with company policies, security standards and relevant regulatory requirements at all times.You’ll comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all timesExperience & knowledgePractical experience in cyber security engineering, security platform engineering or a closely related technical security role.Hands-on experience with Microsoft security technologies, such as Defender XDR, Purview, Sentinel, Defender for Cloud, Entra security capabilitiesExperience with Security Copilot and other AI defence capabilities highly desirable.Understanding of identity security, workload identities, privileged access, Conditional Access and non-human or agent identity risks.Understanding of DevOps, CI/CD and secure delivery practices in an Agile, value-stream environment.Willingness to continually develop knowledge of Microsoft security, cloud, automation and agentic security capabilities.A pragmatic and risk-based approach to implementing security controls.Bring your expertise, ideas and drive for continuous improvement and help us strengthen our cyber defences. Haywards HeathType: Full time