At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead application security initiatives and enhance secure development practices across Europe.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to embedding security in software development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies and collaborate globally.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by improving security outcomes in innovative tech solutions.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in application security with hands-on experience in secure development.
The Application Security Specialist exists to embed application security expertise across Europe’s products and services, supporting the Secure Development Practice and enabling a consistent ‘shift-left’ approach. The role is accountable for advancing application security capability, leading security reviews on higher-risk systems, and ensuring secure development practices are adopted across engineering teams. The post holder will act as a technical authority on application security, helping reduce vulnerability risk and improve security outcomes across both internal IT systems and customer-facing solutions.
Experience Required
- Minimum 3 to 5 years in application security, secure development or software engineering with a security focus
- Hands-on experience conducting application security reviews
- Experience implementing security in CI/CD processes
- Experience working with development teams in an enterprise environment
Desirable
- Experience building or contributing to a security CoE or capability model
- Experience working in a multi-entity, multinational environment
- Experience integrating security into large-scale development programmes
- Experience supporting secure AI or data-centric applications
Minimum Qualifications Required
- Minimum Degree or equivalent professional experience in one of the following: computer science, software engineering, cyber security, information security or related technical discipline
- Evidence of formal or structured learning in secure development or application security (for example through certifications, formal training or demonstrable experience).
Desirable
- Recognised application security or secure development certification, such as: CSSLP (Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional), GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT) or GWEB, Offensive Security certifications (e.g. OSCP) where relevant to application testing
- Cloud security certifications relevant to application hosting environments: AWS Security Specialty, Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate, Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer
- DevSecOps or CI/CD related certifications or formal training
- ISO 27001 Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor, or demonstrable understanding of ISO control environments
- Familiarity with NIST frameworks, particularly NIST CSF and NIST SSDF, demonstrated through training or experience
- Relevant vendor certifications linked to SAST, DAST, SCA or pipeline tooling where used in the organisation
- Evidence of continuous professional development in secure coding, software assurance or emerging technologies such as AI security
Minimum Skills Required
- Strong software engineering foundation: ability to read and understand code across at least one major language (Java, C, C++, C#, Python or similar), understanding of common development frameworks and application architectures
- Practical application security capability: hands-on experience identifying and explaining common vulnerabilities, ability to guide remediation in a way developers can implement
- Secure development lifecycle knowledge: understanding of how to embed security into design, build, test and deployment stages, familiarity with shift-left practices and developer workflows
- Threat modelling capability: ability to identify threats, abuse cases and attack surfaces, experience applying structured approaches such as STRIDE or similar
- CI/CD and DevOps familiarity: understanding of pipelines, build processes and release workflows, capability to integrate or advise on automated security testing within pipelines
- Analytical and diagnostic capability: ability to interpret scan results and distinguish false positives from real risk, ability to identify systemic issues rather than isolated defects
- Communication and influence: ability to translate security issues into actionable developer guidance, confidence in engaging engineers, architects and product owners
- Risk awareness: ability to link technical vulnerabilities to business risk and prioritisation
Desirable
- Advanced application security techniques: experience with fuzz testing, advanced dynamic testing or manual code review, experience testing APIs, microservices and distributed systems
- DevSecOps implementation: experience designing or implementing security controls within CI/CD pipelines, hands-on experience integrating SAST, DAST, SCA and secrets scanning tools
- Secure architecture understanding: familiarity with secure design patterns and common failure modes in modern architectures (cloud-native, microservices, serverless)
- Secure AI and data-driven systems awareness: understanding of risks associated with AI models, data pipelines and prompt or model manipulation
- Training and enablement capability: ability to design or deliver developer-focused training or workshops, ability to simplify complex security concepts without diluting technical accuracy
- Broader security framework awareness: working knowledge of OWASP SAMM, ASVS or similar maturity models, familiarity with threat intelligence inputs and how they influence application risk
- Tooling depth: experience selecting, tuning or optimising security tools for development environments, understanding of strengths and limitations of common tooling categories
- Multi-environment experience: exposure to both internal enterprise IT systems and externally facing customer solutions
- Ability to operate in federated organisations: comfort working across multiple teams, geographies and delivery models with varying levels of maturity
Senior Application Security Specialist employer: Secure Source
As a Senior Application Security Specialist, you will thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment that prioritises security across all engineering teams. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture, offering extensive opportunities for professional growth and development, while also providing competitive benefits tailored to support your well-being. Located in a vibrant city, we embrace a forward-thinking approach to application security, ensuring that you play a pivotal role in shaping secure development practices across Europe’s products and services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Application Security Specialist
✨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 Secure Source, 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 Secure Source
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Secure Source. 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 Senior Application Security Specialist
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 Secure Source 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 Secure Source that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Secure Source
✨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 Secure Source 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 Secure Source.
✨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.
