At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate SOC operations, ensuring effective governance and compliance.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in defence and national security.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with international collaboration and career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cyber security while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in SOC leadership and strong understanding of security best practices.
The predicted salary is between 80 - 80 £ per hour.
We’re supporting a leading organisation in the defence and national security space as they continue to invest in and mature their Cyber Security Operations capability. This is a key opportunity for an experienced SOC professional to step into a leadership-focused coordination role, acting as a deputy to the SOC Manager and driving operational excellence.
The Role
This position is less hands-on technical and more focused on governance, leadership, and SOC operations coordination. You’ll play a central role in ensuring the effective running of a 24/7 SOC, while supporting ongoing improvement initiatives and compliance activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as Deputy to the SOC Manager, supporting day-to-day SOC operations
- Coordinate SOC governance activities, audits, and security working groups
- Ensure resilience and efficiency of the 24x7 SOC shift model
- Drive security improvement initiatives and track remediation actions
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and team development
- Act as a key interface across InfoSec, security stakeholders, and wider business units
- Lead on audit readiness and compliance (ISO27001, defence frameworks, etc.)
- Oversee documentation, policies, and operational procedures
- Coordinate security testing activities (e.g. pentesting, CHECK, ITHC)
- Collaborate internationally with cyber teams across multiple regions
What We’re Looking For
- Background in SOC leadership, cyber governance, or information security management
- Strong understanding of SOC operating models and security best practices
- Experience with risk management, audit preparation, and compliance frameworks
- Familiarity with standards such as ISO27001 and defence security frameworks
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Knowledge of incident response, vulnerability management, and security policy
- Experience within defence, national security, or highly regulated environments is highly desirable
SOC Lead in Stevenage employer: InfoSec People Ltd
Join a leading organisation in the defence and national security sector, where your expertise as a SOC Lead will be valued and nurtured. With a hybrid working model based in Stevenage, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through continuous improvement initiatives and professional development opportunities. This role not only offers competitive remuneration but also the chance to make a meaningful impact in a critical field, ensuring the resilience and efficiency of vital security operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SOC Lead in Stevenage
✨Get Active on Cybersecurity Forums
Join platforms like Stack Exchange and Reddit’s r/cybersecurity to hang out with industry pros, learn the latest, and share your insights. This will not only boost your visibility but also help you connect with potential clients who might need your freelance services.
✨Show Off Your Skills with Public Projects
Create a few open-source projects or contribute to existing ones that showcase your cybersecurity skills. Use GitHub to display your work, as this is an excellent way to attract clients looking for freelancers with a proven track record.
✨Attend Local Conferences and Meetups
Make sure to hit up cybersecurity meetups, workshops, and conferences in your area. These events are goldmines for networking, and you’ll often find people looking for freelancers after a chat over a coffee – so come prepared with your business cards and a killer elevator pitch!
✨Market Yourself Smartly
Set up a professional website that showcases your portfolio, expertise, and client testimonials. Optimise it for SEO with relevant keywords so potential clients searching for cybersecurity freelancers can easily find you. Don’t forget to link to your site on all your social media and profiles!
We think you need these skills to ace SOC Lead in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Skills Through a Strong Portfolio:Since you're applying for a freelance role in cybersecurity, it's crucial to showcase your technical skills through a detailed portfolio. Include case studies of projects you've worked on, any security tools you've developed or assessed, and specifics on the methodologies you’ve used. This will help InfoSec People Ltd understand what you're capable of.
Certifications Matter!:Make sure to list any relevant certifications you hold, such as CISSP, CEH, or CompTIA Security+. Freelance clients often value these credentials as they reflect your expertise and commitment to the field. If you’re actively pursuing more certifications, don’t hesitate to mention that too!
Rates, Availability, and Your Work Style:In your application, it’s essential to be clear about your freelance rates and availability. Clients appreciate transparency. Mention how many hours a week you can dedicate and your preferred working hours, as this sets expectations from the start and shows you're organised and professional.
Tailor Your CV to Highlight Cybersecurity Experience:When crafting your CV, make sure to tailor it specifically to cybersecurity. Highlight projects, tasks, and achievements related to security assessments, vulnerabilities you've mitigated, or compliance work you've undertaken. Keywords relevant to the job can grab attention and increase your chances of landing a spot at InfoSec People Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at InfoSec People Ltd
✨Showcase Your Cybersecurity Skills
As a freelancer in cybersecurity, it’s crucial we demonstrate not just our knowledge but our practical skills too. Be ready to discuss specific tools you’ve used, like Wireshark or Metasploit, and share relevant experiences where you identified vulnerabilities or mitigated risks in past projects.
✨Prepare Your Portfolio
Unlike traditional roles, freelancing relies heavily on your portfolio. Let’s curate a selection of past work that showcases our best projects. If we’ve handled penetration tests, audits, or incident responses, be sure to highlight these in your portfolio, and share any client testimonials if we have them.
✨Stay Updated on Trends and Tools
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so we should be prepared to chat about recent developments and how they impact our work. Familiarise ourselves with the latest threats, tools, and frameworks, like MITRE ATT&CK, that are pertinent to the projects we’re pitching.
✨Pitching Your Value as a Freelancer
When freelancing, we often need to negotiate our rates and value propositions. Be ready to explain how our skills can help InfoSec People Ltd protect their assets and manage risks. It can help to outline some potential strategies or improvements we could implement for them based on their current setup.
