At a Glance
- Tasks: Monitor and analyse security alerts, ensuring swift incident management.
- Company: Join a leading Cyber Services team in London with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday allowance, and community volunteering opportunities.
- Other info: Great mentorship opportunities and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies.
- Why this job: Kickstart your cybersecurity career while making a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Basic understanding of cybersecurity principles and experience with SIEM tools preferred.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
As an Associate Security Analyst, you will be the first line of defence in the Event Monitoring Centre, responsible for the initial triage of security alerts, basic vulnerability analysis and data loss prevention. Your primary role will be to monitor, analyse, and assess incoming alerts, identifying potential security incidents based on established criteria. You will elevate confirmed or suspicious threats to the R2 analysts, senior analysts, or the shift lead for further investigation and response. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow escalation protocols to ensure swift and effective incident management. Ideal candidates will have a foundational understanding of cybersecurity principles, experience with SIEM tools, and a commitment to continuous learning in a fast‑paced security environment.
Due to being the initial contact for the triaging of alerts your expertise will directly support the analytic development by suggesting customer tuning rules to ensure the efficient running of the SOC. This role requires strong analytical skills, technical proficiency, and a commitment to continuous learning in a dynamic security environment.
Key Responsibilities:- Threat Detection and Monitoring:
- Monitor the ITSM platform for new alerts, schemas and tickets
- Monitor the SIEM Logs, IDS Logs and Managed Intelligence sources
- Identify potential threats, vulnerabilities, and indicators of compromise
- Initiate escalation procedures to counteract potential threats and vulnerabilities
- Incident Remediation and Documentation:
- Escalate to R2 analysts, Team Lead or senior analyst should further clarification or four eyes be required
- Provide incident remediation and prevention recommendations to customers using established procedures and analyst experience
- Document and adhere to security monitoring processes
- Suggest process and procedure improvement based on working requirements to streamline processes
- Customer Service and Escalation:
- Exceed customer expectations by always delivering exceptional customer service
- Be the initial point of contact for alerts and schemas triaged
- Contribute to the creation and maintenance of security documentation, including incident response playbooks, standard operating procedures, and knowledge base articles
- Reporting and Continuous Improvement:
- Compile and review service‑focused reports for effective communication
- Contribute to the creation and maintenance of security documentation, including incident response playbooks, standard operating procedures, and knowledge base articles
- Be susceptible to mentoring from senior analysts
- Threat Analysis and Collaboration:
- Contribute practical insights to the analysis of common security incidents
- Maintain working relationships with the Analytic Development and Security Engineering teams
- Collaborate with shift partners to provide a high quality of service
- General Duties:
- Perform additional assigned duties as required
- Flexibility to quickly learn and adapt to new security tools, technologies, and processes
- Process Data Schema
- Review data loss prevention alerts
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Keep up to date with latest emerging threats and APT groups
- Ability to be mentored by senior analysts
- Minimum Requirements:
- Network, Cloud and OS Knowledge:
- Understanding of common network protocols and tools
- Understanding of Linux operating systems
- Understanding of Content Delivery Networks
- Understanding of the CIA triad and how it interacts with security
- Understanding of cloud technologies – AWS, GCP, OCI
- Customer interaction:
- Experience with documenting both high level and technical customer facing information
- Confidence providing critical/sensitive information accurately
- Contacting key stakeholders during major incidents
- Incident Analysis and Response:
- Awareness of the MITRE ATT&CK framework
- Pedigree in performing in-depth analysis of security alerts
- Assess customer impact through investigation and work with senior analysts for resolution
- Basic understanding of Personal Identifiable Information
- Initiate escalation procedure for potential threats
- Ability to interpret threat priority against the cyber kill chain
- Provide appropriate mitigation and remediation steps
- Desirable Requirements:
- Tooling:
- Hands‑on experience with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms preferably Splunk
- Knowledge of cloud products and log events such as AWS, OCI, GCP
- Knowledge of cloud vulnerability tools such as Wiz
- Desirable Certifications:
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Network +
- Security Blue Team Level One
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- MAD20 Att&ck Fundamentals
- Flexible Working: Balance your work and personal life with our flexible working options
- Generous Holiday Allowance: Enjoy 25 days of holiday, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 5 additional days of annual leave
- Medicash & Critical Illness Scheme
- Financial & Investment Benefits: Enjoy peace of mind with our Pension, Life Assurance, and Share Save Scheme
- Community & Volunteering Programmes: Make a difference in your community with our volunteering opportunities
- Green Car Scheme: Drive green and save money with our eco‑friendly car scheme
- Cycle Scheme: Stay fit and healthy with our cycle‑to‑work scheme
- Special Time Off: Take time off for those big moments in life, like getting married/entering into a civil partnership, becoming a grandparent, and welcoming home a new pet
- Family Planning: Benefit from our generous maternity and paternity leave, as well as time off and support for those undergoing fertility treatments
Associate SOC Analyst in City of Westminster employer: NCC Group
NCC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises flexibility and employee well-being in the heart of Cheltenham. With generous holiday allowances, comprehensive financial benefits, and a strong commitment to community engagement, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to cutting-edge cyber threat intelligence initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate SOC Analyst in City of Westminster
✨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 NCC Group, 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 NCC Group
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at NCC Group. 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 Associate SOC Analyst in City of Westminster
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 NCC Group 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 NCC Group that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at NCC Group
✨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 NCC Group 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 NCC Group.
✨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.