Cyber Security Analyst (Security Advisor/Analyst) in Leeds

Cyber Operations purpose is to support safe care and build public trust by building NHS England's cyber resilience and enabling the wider health system to be cyber resilient, supporting Transformation Directorate's purpose of delivering the best care and outcomes for the NHS.

The Cyber Operations sub-directorate consists of 4 operational areas:

• Cyber Security Operations Unit (CSOU) - SIO
• Cyber Delivery Unit (CDU)
• Cyber Improvement Programme
• Chief Information Security Office Function (CISO)

The Cyber Security Analyst (Cloud) role is within the Security Operations pillar of the CSOC (Cyber Security Operations Centre), providing second line cloud security analytics, monitoring and incident response services across cloud-hosted environments and platforms.

Main duties of the job:

• Deputise for Senior Analysts in their absence, supporting oversight of cloud security monitoring and response activity.
• Act as an escalation point for Tier 1 Junior Analysts for cloud security incidents, alerts and investigations.
• Offer mentorship and guidance to Tier 1 Junior Analysts to build capability in cloud threat monitoring, investigation and response.
• Keep up to date with the latest security and cloud technology developments, including researching and evaluating emerging cyber threats affecting cloud services and platforms.
• Use advanced analytic tools, including SIEM and cloud security platforms, to identify emerging threat patterns, suspicious activity and vulnerabilities across cloud environments.
• Apply experience and knowledge to support the investigation and triage of cloud security alerts, incidents and anomalous activity.
• Assist with the refinement of cloud detection use cases and identify opportunities to improve monitoring coverage and overall security posture.
• Provide technical support to NHS organisations in investigating and responding to cloud security incidents.

About us:

NHS England has a wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers. These are focused on supporting the wider NHS to deliver high quality care, as well as doing those things that are best done once for the whole NHS.

Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

In March 2025, the Government announced that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will increasingly merge functions, ultimately leading to NHS England being fully integrated into the department.

If you currently work within the NHS and if successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in our offices. Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.

Job responsibilities:

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information about the role and responsibilities. Please ensure your supporting statement includes demonstrable evidence and specific examples on how you meet the criteria for each of the key skills specified. This will be used in both the shortlisting and interview processes.

You will be required to have previous experience (1+ years) of working in a Cyber Operations environment in an analyst role, and it is desirable to hold either SANS SEC504 (GIAC GCIH) or Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200).

Important: Please be aware there are residency requirements you need to meet:

• All NHS England Cyber Security personnel must hold Security Clearance level as a minimum. To meet National Security Vetting requirements, SC clearances require 5 years continuous UK residency. In certain cases, this can be reduced to three years continuous UK residency, with additional overseas checks for the previous two years.
• Candidates who were posted abroad for service with HM Government, Armed Forces or within a UK government role will still be considered.

Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for this role. You don't need to have SC already, however, failure to achieve the requirements for SC after offer will result in the job offer being withdrawn.

Person Specification:

Knowledge:

• Essential: Working knowledge of concept, procedures and processes of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM); ability to utilise related applications to protect organisational networks from cyber risks.
• Proven knowledge of tools, techniques and processes of intrusion detection and prevention; ability to detect, resolve and prevent intrusion behaviours to protect organisational networks.
• Proven knowledge of techniques, approaches and processes of digital threats; ability to detect, monitor, analyse and prevent digital threats.
• Desirable: Working knowledge of methods and processes to monitor, analyse and respond to network attacks, intrusions or any unauthorised actions; ability to use techniques and tools to perform network defence.
• Working knowledge of modules, processes and technologies of Information Security Operation Centre (ISOC); ability to detect, respond and utilise related platform and applications to perform cyber security initiatives.
• Working knowledge of concept, issues and techniques of endpoint security; ability to ensure security compliance of endpoint infrastructure in various circumstances.

Qualifications:

• Essential: Bachelor's Degree in Cyber Security or a relevant subject, or equivalent level of experience.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.