Senior SOC Analyst - Public Sector in Winchester

Senior SOC Analyst - Public Sector in Winchester

Winchester Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
IBM

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Monitor security alerts, lead incident response, and improve SOC efficiency.
  • Company: Join IBM Consulting UK FutureNow, a leader in hybrid cloud and AI.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days holiday, private medical cover, and career development support.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture that values curiosity and supports continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while growing your skills with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: Experience in SOC environments and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

At IBM Consulting UK FutureNow, you’ll build a career at the forefront of hybrid cloud and AI, working with leading clients across the public and private sectors. You’ll collaborate with top industry professionals, gain hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge technologies, and deliver solutions that create real business impact. From day one, you’ll work on meaningful, high‑profile programmes that stretch your skills and accelerate your growth. We invest heavily in you—supporting continuous learning, in‑demand skills development, and long‑term career progression. You’ll thrive in a flexible, inclusive environment that values curiosity, encourages reinvention, and recognises what makes you unique.

Benefits

  • Tools and policies to support your work‑life balance from flexible working approaches, sabbatical programmes, paid paternity leave, maternity leave and an innovative maternity returners scheme.
  • More traditional benefits, such as 25 days holiday (in addition to public holidays), private medical, dental & optical cover, online shopping discounts, an Employee Assistance Programme, life assurance and a group pension plan through salary sacrifice.

In this role, you’ll work in one of our IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centres (Delivery Centres), where we deliver deep technical and industry expertise to a wide range of public and private sector clients around the world. Our delivery centres offer our clients locally based skills and technical expertise to drive innovation and adoption of new technology.

Key Responsibilities

  • Monitor, triage, and investigate security alerts and incidents across a range of SIEM and security platforms.
  • Lead or support incident response activities, including:
    • Initial investigation
    • Containment coordination
    • Escalation to relevant teams
  • Act as a senior presence on shift, supporting Tier 1/2 analysts and ensuring smooth SOC operations.
  • Drive incident quality and consistency, ensuring playbooks and procedures are followed.
  • Support major incident initiation and coordination, including communication across technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
  • Analyse security events and identify:
    • Patterns
    • Threat behaviours
    • Opportunities for improvement
  • Contribute to playbook development and refinement, improving SOC efficiency and response capability.
  • Work with detection and engineering teams to:
    • Improve alert quality
    • Reduce false positives
    • Support operational effectiveness
  • Produce clear and structured incident reports and handovers.
  • Participate in shift handovers, retrospectives, and continuous improvement activities.
  • Support client interactions where required, providing updates and operational insights.

Required Education

None

Preferred Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Required Technical and Professional Expertise

  • Proven experience working in a SOC environment (L2 / L3 level) within a 24/7 operational setting.
  • Strong experience with SIEM platforms, such as Microsoft Sentinel, QRadar, Splunk, Elastic or similar.
  • Practical experience in:
    • Incident triage and investigation
    • Security event analysis
    • Alert validation and escalation
  • Understanding of:
    • Incident response processes and workflows
    • Threat detection methodologies
  • Exposure to security tooling, such as:
    • EDR/XDR platforms
    • Network security technologies
    • Identity and access systems
  • Ability to interpret logs and identify suspicious behaviour across:
    • Endpoints
    • Networks
    • Cloud environments
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate incidents and risks.
  • Experience working in client‑facing or service‑based environments.

Preferred Technical and Professional Experience

  • Experience acting as a shift lead or senior escalation point within a SOC.
  • Exposure to threat hunting or detection improvement activities.
  • Experience working with MITRE ATT&CK.
  • Threat intelligence integration.
  • Familiarity with SOAR platforms and automated response workflows.
  • Relevant certifications such as SC-200, GCIH / GIAC, vendor SIEM certifications.
  • Experience working in regulated or public sector environments.
  • Understanding of SOC performance metrics and continuous improvement approaches.

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personal Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NVS) may apply, which could include meeting the eligibility requirements for the Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

IBM is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Senior SOC Analyst - Public Sector in Winchester employer: IBM

At IBM Consulting UK FutureNow, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive learning opportunities and a supportive culture that values diversity and flexibility, ensuring you can balance your professional and personal life effectively. With competitive benefits and the chance to work on impactful projects within the public sector, you'll find a rewarding career path that not only enhances your skills but also contributes to meaningful change.

IBM

Contact Details:

IBM Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior SOC Analyst - Public Sector in Winchester

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 IBM, 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 IBM

Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at IBM. 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 - Public Sector in Winchester

SIEM Platforms (Microsoft Sentinel, QRadar, Splunk, Elastic)
Incident Triage and Investigation
Security Event Analysis
Alert Validation and Escalation
Incident Response Processes and Workflows
Threat Detection Methodologies
EDR/XDR Platforms

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 IBM 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 IBM that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.

How to prepare for a job interview at IBM

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 IBM 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 IBM.

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.