At a Glance
- Tasks: Investigate cyber security incidents and support incident response in a hands-on role.
- Company: Join a leading UK Government Department focused on Cyber Defence.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive pay, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for mentoring and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by protecting vital government services and enhancing cyber security.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years of experience in cyber incident response and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: London / Hybrid – 60% office-based
Contract: Until 31 December 2026
Day Rate: £650–£700 per day (Umbrella)
Clearance: Active SC clearance required
The Opportunity
We are seeking an Associate Security Analyst – Cyber Defence to join a high-profile government Cyber and Information Security function.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced cyber security professional to support the protection of critical digital services, infrastructure and information assets against cyber threats.
You will join a dedicated Cyber Defence team, supporting security alert triage, incident investigation, threat detection and cyber incident response.
Key Responsibilities
- Triage and investigate cyber security alerts and user-reported security incidents.
- Investigate systems, files, network traffic and cloud environments to identify potential threats.
- Use SIEM and EDR technologies to detect, investigate and respond to cyber threats.
- Support cyber incident response activities, including containment, eradication and recovery.
- Assist with the coordination and management of security incidents.
- Contribute to post-incident reviews, lessons learned and improvement actions.
- Develop and improve incident response processes, playbooks and security documentation.
- Work collaboratively with wider Cyber Defence and security functions.
- Act as an escalation point for apprentice and junior security analysts.
- Coach and mentor junior members of the team.
- Support line management responsibilities for apprentice security analysts.
- Participate in an out-of-hours cyber incident response/on-call rota.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Active SC security clearance.
- At least 2–3 years' experience as a Cyber Security Analyst or in a comparable security operations role.
- Proven experience investigating and responding to cyber security incidents.
- Practical experience with SIEM and EDR technologies .
- Hands-on experience with Splunk .
- Experience with Microsoft 365 security technologies, including:
- Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft Sentinel
- KQL
- Strong understanding of common cyber threat actor tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).
- Experience analysing alerts, identifying potential threats and assessing the scope and impact of incidents.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience working within a SOC, Cyber Defence or Security Operations environment .
Desirable Experience
- Advanced hands-on experience with Splunk.
- Experience working in an Agile environment.
- Experience with cloud security, particularly AWS.
- Experience creating or maintaining incident response playbooks and security documentation.
- Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting junior/apprentice security analysts.
- Experience contributing to continual improvement of security operations and incident response capabilities.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for an analytical, proactive and technically capable security professional with practical experience in cyber incident investigation and response.
You should be confident working with SIEM and EDR technologies, investigating security alerts, understanding attacker behaviour and communicating technical findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Government Success Profiles
Candidates will be assessed against relevant experience, career history, achievements, technical/specialist skills and behaviours.
The key behaviours for this role are:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
Apply Now
If you have active SC clearance, strong Cyber Security Analyst experience and hands-on expertise with Splunk, Microsoft Defender, Sentinel and KQL, we'd like to hear from you.
Apply now for this exciting Cyber Defence contract opportunity.
Associate Security Analyst in London employer: GTC Recruitment
Join a leading public-sector organisation as a Pay & Reward Advisor, where you will thrive in a fully remote work environment that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. This role offers competitive pay and the chance to contribute to meaningful employee initiatives while developing your skills in a supportive and collaborative culture. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to employee well-being, this is an excellent place to advance your career in Pay & Reward.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Security Analyst in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to current or former employees in the Cyber Defence team. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview like it’s the final boss level! Brush up on your Splunk skills and be ready to showcase your analytical prowess. Practising common cybersecurity scenarios can really help you shine.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Security Analyst in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Associate Security Analyst role. Highlight your experience with SIEM tools and incident response, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in cyber security.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain why you’re passionate about cyber security and how your background makes you a great fit for our Cyber Defence team. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or hands-on experience you have, especially with Splunk or EDR solutions. We want to see what makes you stand out from the crowd!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the quickest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity. Don’t delay!
How to prepare for a job interview at GTC Recruitment
✨Know Your Cyber Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your general cybersecurity knowledge. Make sure you understand key concepts and terminology, especially around incident response and threat actor TTPs. This will help you feel more confident during the technical quiz.
✨Get Hands-On with Splunk
Since there's a practical Splunk exercise in the interview, spend some time familiarising yourself with the tool. If you can, practice investigating simulated scenarios to get comfortable with the interface and functionalities. This hands-on experience will be invaluable.
✨Prepare for Competency Questions
Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Prepare specific examples that showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving abilities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Show Your Mentoring Side
As this role involves mentoring apprentice analysts, be ready to discuss your approach to coaching and supporting others. Think of examples where you've helped someone grow or overcome challenges, as this will demonstrate your leadership potential.
