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- Tasks: Lead investigations and responses to cyber incidents, ensuring robust security measures.
- Company: Join the Cabinet Office's Cyber Defence team, dedicated to protecting citizens and infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cybersecurity while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in cyber incident response and mentoring junior staff is essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Cyber Defence team delivers cyber threat intelligence, threat detection and incident response capabilities for the Cabinet Office, and is responsible for defending both internal IT infrastructure and citizen‑facing services. As an Incident Response Lead, you’ll take a primary role in building and delivering these core capabilities, focusing on managing and responding to incidents.
As an Incident Response Lead, you will:
- Lead the investigation of security alerts to understand the nature and extent of possible cyber incidents
- Lead the forensic analysis of systems, files, network traffic and cloud environments
- Lead the technical response to cyber incidents by identifying and implementing (or coordinating the implementation of) containment, eradication and recovery actions
- Support the wider coordination of cyber incidents
- Review previous incidents to identify lessons and actions
- Identify and deliver opportunities for continual improvement of the incident response capability
- Work closely alongside other Cyber Defence functions, supporting the continual improvement of wider capabilities
- Develop and update internal plans, playbooks and knowledge base articles
- Act as an escalation point for, and provide coaching and mentoring to, security analysts
- Be responsible for leadership and line management of security analysts
Cyber incidents can and do arise on a 24/7 basis. The team operates an out-of-hours on call rota, which you will be expected to join.
Essential criteria
- Significant experience investigating and responding to cyber incidents
- Significant experience using security tools (e.g., EDR, SIEM) to support the investigation and response to cyber incidents
- Experience managing and coordinating the response to cyber incidents
- Experience coaching and mentoring junior staff
- An in-depth understanding of the tools, techniques and procedures used by threat actors
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.
Security Analyst (Incident Response Lead) employer: Government Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Government Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Security Analyst (Incident Response Lead)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the cyber security field, especially those already working at the Cabinet Office. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on what they're really looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies of past incidents you've managed. This will help you demonstrate your experience and problem-solving abilities during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses, especially around technical scenarios and leadership experiences. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Security Analyst (Incident Response Lead)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in investigating and responding to cyber incidents. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: In your cover letter, emphasise your analytical and problem-solving skills. We want to see how you've used security tools like EDR and SIEM in real situations, so give us some examples!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that demonstrate your communication skills, especially since you'll be mentoring others.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Recruitment
✨Know Your Cyber Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in cyber threats and incident response. Familiarise yourself with the tools mentioned in the job description, like EDR and SIEM, so you can confidently discuss how you've used them in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Incident Response Lead, you'll be expected to mentor junior staff. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or coached others in previous positions. Highlight your leadership style and how it contributes to a positive team environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about specific incidents you've managed. Think of a few key examples where you led the response, detailing your thought process and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to handle pressure.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent communication is essential, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might be asked to explain complex technical concepts, so being able to simplify these for non-technical stakeholders will be a big plus.