At a Glance
- Tasks: Support network security platforms and enhance threat detection tools.
- Company: Join Lloyds Banking Group, a leader in retail banking.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent growth opportunities and support.
- Why this job: Kick-start your cyber security career while protecting millions of customers.
- Qualifications: Enthusiasm for learning and basic IT skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
LOCATION(S): Leeds or Manchester
HOURS: Full-time - 35 hours a week.
WORKING PATTERN: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least two days per week, or 40% of our time, at one of our office sites.
About this Opportunity
Are you looking to kick-start your career in technology and want to work with cutting-edge cyber security tools that protect millions of customers every day? We're looking for a Junior Infrastructure Specialist to join our Network Security Prevention, Detection, Compliance and Assurance team - part of the wider Network Security & Traffic Management Lab at Lloyds Banking Group. Our team plays a critical role in safeguarding the bank by running threat prevention and detection technologies - including Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) and Network Detection and Response (NDR) platforms. As part of the Threat Prevention and Detection function, you'll take an active role in running, improving, and developing these tools. You'll focus on optimising our detections and helping develop automated responses. This is an entry-level role, perfect if you're early in your IT career. You'll learn from some of the best engineers in the industry, build skills in cyber security and network infrastructure, and grow your career with the UK's largest retail bank. If you're curious, love learning, and get excited about solving technical problems, this could be the ideal next step for you.
- Support IDS & NDR tooling: Help run the day-to-day operations of our network security platforms by carrying out daily checks, monitoring performance indicators, and keeping systems running at their best.
- Monitor & Respond: Work closely with our Cyber Security Operations Centre to highlight suspicious events for triage and get hands-on experience threat hunting across our technology platforms.
- Grow & Learn: Learn directly from experienced engineers in a supportive environment, developing your skills in cyber security, network infrastructure, and automation. We'll help you build a solid foundation for a career in tech.
- Contribute to Platform Development: Be part of shaping the future by helping improve our detection rules, optimise system performance, and contribute to automation projects that make our responses faster and smarter.
Why Lloyds Banking Group
Like the modern Britain we serve, we're evolving. Investing billions in our people, data and tech to transform the way we meet the ever-changing needs of our 26 million customers. We're growing with purpose. Join us on our journey and you will too…
What you’ll need: You don't need to be an expert - we'll help you develop - but you'll need enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. The following skills and experience would be desirable, but are not essential.
- Network Configuration, Integration & Security: Understands how various third-party systems work together to enable data flow across the enterprise, and can tailor them to the Group’s requirements effectively. Articulates business challenges and identifies ways to connect and operationalise information to increase automation and ensure tighter security.
- Agile Delivery & Collaborative Working: Contributes actively to an agile team by applying agile principles, methods, and tools (e.g., sprint planning, retrospectives) in day-to-day work. Builds on prior experience to make decisions in familiar contexts, seeking guidance for complex or unfamiliar situations. Demonstrates adaptability when changes occur and begins to influence team practices through positive examples, while still developing confidence in applying agile approaches independently.
- Technical Operations, Service Engineering & Platform Support: Identifies an issue and uses scripts, tools and basic technical skills to investigate, manage or escalate an issue with support or guidance as needed. Understands the basic principles of service reliability and management. Follows established procedures for monitoring, incident handling, and release coordination. Uses service tools and automation scripts under guidance. Learns to interpret SLIs and understands the purpose of SLOs and SLAs. Introduced to the concept of Error Budgets and how they influence release decisions.
- DevOps, Automation & Continuous Improvement: Understands core DevOps concepts including CI/CD, version control, and basic automation. Can contribute to DevOps-related user stories and apply standard tools in development tasks.
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Analyses and effectively evaluates the problem/situation or ideas, using facts, data, and concepts that underline their ideas. Asks relevant questions to clarify data accuracy assessing the findings objectively.
About working for us
Our focus is to ensure we're inclusive every day, building an organisation that reflects modern society and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We want our people to feel that they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity or culture. We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer initiative. And it's why we especially welcome applications from under-represented groups. We're disability confident. So if you'd like reasonable adjustments to be made to our recruitment processes, just let us know.
We also offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes:
- A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
- An annual performance-related bonus
- Share schemes including free shares
- Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
- 24 days' holiday, with bank holidays on top
- A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies.
Ready to kick-start your cyber security career? Apply today and help us protect millions of customers while learning from some of the best in the industry.
Important Note: Please note - our roles can generate a considerable amount of interest and can close early so don't miss out on this opportunity to apply today!
Junior Infrastructure Specialist - Network Security in Leeds employer: LLOYDS BANKING GROUP
Lloyds Banking Group is an exceptional employer for aspiring technology professionals, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds or Manchester with a hybrid working model. Employees benefit from extensive learning opportunities, mentorship from industry experts, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous pension contributions, performance bonuses, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, making it an ideal place to launch a rewarding career in cyber security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Infrastructure Specialist - Network Security in Leeds
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Dive into local and online cybersecurity meetups or forums. Engage with communities on platforms like Reddit or Discord, which often have dedicated channels for job opportunities and entry-level tips. Making yourself visible here can open doors we didn't even know existed!
✨Show Off Those Skills
Set up a GitHub profile where you can showcase any projects or contributions you’ve made, even if they’re just personal experiments. Potential employers love to see our work in action, and this is a great way to catch the eye of companies like LLOYDS BANKING GROUP while we’re still building our experience.
✨Leverage Online Courses & Certifications
Consider taking some recognised cybersecurity certifications, like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker. These badges give us an edge and show our commitment to the field. Plus, many courses have job boards and networking opportunities that can lead to our first gig!
✨Apply Early and Often
Entry-level roles in cybersecurity can fill up quickly, so keep an eye on our website for open positions at LLOYDS BANKING GROUP. We should be ready to apply as soon as we see a role pop up. Tailor our applications to highlight relevant skills like problem-solving and attention to detail – these can set us apart!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Infrastructure Specialist - Network Security in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In the cybersecurity field, we love to see your technical know-how right from the get-go. Include any relevant coursework, certifications (like CompTIA Security+ or CEH), and tools you're familiar with. If you've dabbled in security protocols or have any hands-on experience with firewalls or threat analysis, make sure to highlight that!
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:A cover letter is your chance to show your enthusiasm for cybersecurity—don’t hold back! Talk about why you’re excited about this career path, any personal projects you've been involved with, or security challenges you’ve taken on. It’s all about showing LLOYDS BANKING GROUP that you’re eager to learn and contribute.
Include relevant extracurricular activities:In entry-level applications, we appreciate seeing how you’ve engaged with the cybersecurity community. Mention any clubs, competitions (like Capture The Flag), or volunteer work related to cybersecurity. This will give us insight into your dedication to growing your skills beyond academic learning!
Keep it concise and tailored:We get it—writing about yourself can be tough. But for entry-level roles like Junior Infrastructure Specialist - Network Security at LLOYDS BANKING GROUP, we're looking for clarity and focus. Tailor your CV and application materials to highlight only what matters for this role. Avoid fluff and get straight to your strengths in the context of cybersecurity!
How to prepare for a job interview at LLOYDS BANKING GROUP
✨Know Your Cybersecurity Basics
Make sure you’re clued up on the essential concepts of cybersecurity, like encryption, firewalls, and malware. For an entry-level role like Junior Infrastructure Specialist - Network Security at LLOYDS BANKING GROUP, they might ask you practical questions to test your understanding of these topics, so brush up on the basics and maybe even run through some scenarios.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools
You’ll likely be working with various cybersecurity tools and platforms, so get comfortable with common ones like Wireshark and Metasploit. Mention any hands-on experience you have with these tools during your interview, as it shows you’ve taken the initiative to learn and apply your knowledge, which is key for an entry-level position.
✨Show Your Passion for Learning
Since this is an entry-level position, employers at LLOYDS BANKING GROUP will want to see your eagerness to learn. Prepare to discuss any certifications or online courses you've completed, as well as how you stay updated on the latest threats and trends in cybersecurity. This demonstrates your commitment to growing in the field.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during your interview. These might include how you'd respond to a phishing attempt or securing a network. Think through a few examples beforehand, so you can showcase your problem-solving skills and thought process, which are critical in cybersecurity.
