Cyber Security Analyst in Manchester

Cyber Security Analyst in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
JD Williams

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Monitor and respond to security incidents, improving detection capabilities and processes.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to enhancing security operations.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, mental health support, and discounts.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for continuous learning and career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in security incident response and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

We are looking for a proactive and technically capable Cyber Security Analyst to join our Security Operations team. In this role, you will be responsible for detecting, investigating, and responding to security incidents across a diverse technology estate spanning both cloud and on-premise environments. Reporting to the Security Operations Lead, you will play a key role in strengthening our detection and response capabilities. This includes developing high-quality detections, improving playbooks, and conducting post-incident reviews to drive continuous improvement. You will work closely with technical and non-technical stakeholders across the business, requiring strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex security concepts into clear, actionable insights. This role includes participation in an on-call rota for high-severity incident response. This is a great opportunity to play a key role in evolving and maturing our Security Operations capability. You’ll get exposure to a modern technology stack across cloud and on-premise environments. You’ll join a collaborative environment with opportunities to influence tooling, detections, and processes as well as ongoing learning and development in a fast-moving security landscape.

Responsibilities

  • Proactively monitor and analyse security events to detect and respond to potential threats
  • Investigate alerts and incidents, performing triage, containment, and remediation activities
  • Develop, implement, and tune detection use cases aligned to frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK
  • Correlate data from multiple sources (endpoint, identity, network, and cloud) to identify suspicious behaviour
  • Build and maintain dashboards, alerts, and reports to improve security visibility
  • Conduct proactive threat hunting based on threat intelligence and behavioural patterns
  • Develop and maintain incident response playbooks, continuously improving them based on emerging threats and lessons learned
  • Perform post-incident reviews to identify root causes and implement preventative measures
  • Tune alerts and detections to reduce false positives and improve signal-to-noise ratio
  • Contribute to the ongoing improvement and management of security tooling and processes

Skills & Experience

  • Proven experience monitoring, investigating and responding to security incidents across enterprise environments
  • Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms such as Splunk, including detection engineering, alert tuning, and dashboard creation
  • Experience with endpoint detection and response tools such as Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or similar
  • Strong understanding of common attack techniques, tactics and procedures (TTPs), ideally mapped to MITRE ATT&CK
  • Experience analysing logs across multiple domains (endpoint, identity, network, cloud)
  • Familiarity with SOAR platforms and automation
  • Experience working within security frameworks such as PCI DSS, ISO 27001, or similar
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate security risks to non-technical audiences

Desirable Experience

  • Experience in threat hunting and behavioural-based detection
  • Experience reducing false positives and improving detection quality in a SOC environment
  • Scripting or automation experience
  • Understanding of web application security and common attack vectors

Benefits

  • Hybrid working (2–3 days in the office at a minimum)
  • 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays)
  • Annual bonus scheme
  • Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
  • Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
  • Mental health support both internally and externally, including access to wellbeing champions and counselling services
  • Financial wellbeing support and tools such as Stream to help manage pay and earnings early
  • Colleague discounts across all N Brown brands
  • On-site café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts
  • Life assurance and private medical insurance
  • Paid volunteer time – all colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a chosen charity

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Cyber Security Analyst in Manchester employer: JD Williams

Join N Brown as a Cyber Security Analyst and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing security operations in a collaborative environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer hybrid working, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive mental health support, ensuring you thrive both personally and professionally. Our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in security practices provides a unique opportunity to influence key processes while enjoying the benefits of a supportive workplace culture.

JD Williams

Contact Details:

JD Williams Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Cyber Security Analyst in Manchester

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 JD Williams, 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 JD Williams

Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at JD Williams. 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 Cyber Security Analyst in Manchester

Cyber Security Incident Response
SIEM Platforms (e.g., Splunk)
Detection Engineering
Alert Tuning
Dashboard Creation
Endpoint Detection and Response Tools
MITRE ATT&CK Framework

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

How to prepare for a job interview at JD Williams

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 JD Williams 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 JD Williams.

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.