At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global security monitoring and develop SOPs for SOC teams.
- Company: Join a leading global enterprise in cyber security transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to mentor and collaborate across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global security operations and enhance your skills.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in SOC roles with strong incident investigation and threat analysis skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: London
Working Pattern: 4 days onsite, 1 day remote
Hours: Monday-Friday, standard business hours (no shift work)
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior SOC Analyst to support a major cyber security transformation programme within a global enterprise environment. This role is ideal for a senior, hands-on Security Operations professional who combines strong incident investigation and threat analysis skills with experience in detection engineering, operational process development, and stakeholder engagement. Working as a key bridge between regional and global Security Operations teams, you will play a critical role in the globalisation of security monitoring capabilities, helping to onboard, validate, optimise, and operationalise detection content while ensuring analysts have effective procedures and playbooks in place.
Key Responsibilities
- Detection Rule Globalisation
- Lead the onboarding of EMEA detection rules into the Global Security Operations Centre.
- Review and validate detection logic, thresholds, alert conditions and expected behaviours across SIEM platforms such as Microsoft Sentinel, Splunk, QRadar, ArcSight, Exabeam, and LogRhythm.
- Ensure accurate mapping of detection content to recognised threat frameworks, including MITRE ATT&CK.
- Identify detection gaps, duplicate content and optimisation opportunities through detection engineering, threat hunting, and alert tuning activities.
- Support standardisation of monitoring capabilities across global security teams covering EDR, XDR, cloud, identity, email, and network security telemetry.
- SOP Development & Operationalisation
- Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Tier 1 and Tier 2 SOC teams.
- Create investigation workflows, triage processes and escalation procedures for security incidents across Microsoft Defender, CrowdStrike, Cortex XDR, SentinelOne, Carbon Black, Azure, AWS, and GCP environments.
- Define required enrichment data, threat intelligence inputs and decision-making criteria.
- Ensure procedures are practical, repeatable and aligned with global security operations.
- Develop analyst playbooks and support SOAR and automation initiatives using technologies such as Microsoft Sentinel Automation, Cortex XSOAR, Splunk SOAR, Tines, and Swimlane.
- Threat Analysis & Detection Validation
- Validate the effectiveness of security detections through threat-focused analysis and threat hunting activities.
- Perform quality assurance reviews of detection rules and analyst handling processes.
- Review and simulate alert scenarios to confirm investigation workflows and expected outcomes.
- Analyse attacker tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and ensure detection content remains aligned with emerging threats.
- Utilise KQL, SPL, SQL, log analysis, event correlation, and telemetry investigation to validate detections and support investigations.
- Support continuous improvement of detection and response capabilities.
- Stakeholder Management & Collaboration
- Work closely with Security Operations, Detection Engineering, Threat Intelligence, Incident Response, and Global SOC teams.
- Act as a bridge between regional and global security functions.
- Deliver knowledge transfer sessions and operational walkthroughs.
- Translate complex technical concepts, detection logic, threat activity, and investigation outcomes into clear, business-friendly language.
- Documentation & Governance
- Maintain high-quality documentation of detection content and operational procedures.
- Ensure traceability between detection logic, threat mappings and analyst workflows.
- Support audit and compliance requirements through robust process documentation.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Minimum 4 years' experience as a Tier 2 SOC Analyst (or recent Tier 3 experience).
- Strong background in security incident investigation, threat analysis, and threat hunting.
- Experience reviewing, tuning and validating detection rules and security alerts within SIEM platforms such as Microsoft Sentinel, Splunk, QRadar, ArcSight, Exabeam, or LogRhythm.
- Experience working with Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, CrowdStrike Falcon, Cortex XDR, SentinelOne, Carbon Black, or similar EDR/XDR technologies.
- Proven experience creating SOPs, playbooks, SOAR workflows, or response procedures for SOC teams.
- Strong understanding of attacker tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).
- Experience mapping detections to recognised threat frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK.
- Experience using KQL, SPL, SQL, or similar query languages for investigation, threat hunting, and alert validation.
- Ability to define escalation criteria and investigation workflows.
- Experience working across multiple security teams and stakeholder groups.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to mentor and guide junior analysts.
Desirable Experience
- Security transformation, SOC modernisation, or globalisation projects.
- Detection engineering experience.
- SOAR workflow, automation, or response procedure development.
- Quality assurance of SOC processes and detection content.
- Experience within financial services or highly regulated environments.
- Experience delivering analyst training and knowledge transfer sessions.
- Experience working within Azure, AWS, or GCP cloud environments.
- Experience with threat intelligence integration, detection use case development, and security monitoring strategy.
Qualifications
- Degree in Cyber Security, Information Security, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
- Relevant security operations, incident response, or monitoring certifications.
- Industry certifications such as Security+, CySA+, GCIH, GCIA, CISSP, SC-200, SC-300, AZ-500, or equivalent are advantageous.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a genuinely senior SOC professional, not simply a Detection Engineer or Tier 1 Analyst. You will have a broad Security Operations background covering incident investigation, threat analysis, detection engineering, playbook development, stakeholder management, and mentoring. You will be comfortable operating between regional and global teams, driving consistency across security operations and helping shape how detection and response capabilities are delivered at scale. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior SOC professional looking to influence a large-scale Security Operations transformation while remaining technically hands-on.
Senior SOC Analyst in England employer: GCS Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation and collaboration, where as a Senior Site Reliability Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing the reliability and performance of critical banking systems. With a hybrid working model based in Knutsford or Glasgow, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises continuous improvement and employee growth, alongside opportunities for technical leadership and mentorship. Enjoy a competitive benefits package and the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies in a dynamic environment that fosters professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior SOC Analyst in England
✨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 GCS Recruitment, 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 GCS Recruitment
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at GCS Recruitment. 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 Senior SOC Analyst in England
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 GCS Recruitment 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 GCS Recruitment that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at GCS Recruitment
✨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 GCS Recruitment 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 GCS Recruitment.
✨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.