Security Specialist (Cyber)

Hybrid - Southampton - 60% Time onsite

£42,848 - £55,000

Can you assess cyber threats, communicate risk clearly to stakeholders, and support effective protective measures?

Do you bring the perfect balance of technical security expertise and collaborative influence to help shape secure, standards-aligned systems in a high-stakes environment?

Would you like to play a key role in protecting national infrastructure and influencing how security is embedded at a blue light organisation?

We're looking for a Cyber Security Specialist to help shape and deliver our Information Security strategy across a fast-paced, high-impact organisation.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is recruiting a Cyber Security Specialist to join our Information Security team and help ensure the security, confidentiality, integrity and availability of information, assets, systems and services across the MCA and its suppliers.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the delivery of secure services that protect lives, the environment, and the UK's maritime interests.

As a Cyber Security Specialist, you will:

• Embed Secure by Design principles into projects and operational processes, working closely with internal teams and external partners.
• Identify and assess cyber risks, providing clear, contextualised advice to support informed decision-making and build cyber resilience.
• Provide pragmatic and proportionate security guidance across a range of technical and strategic issues, aligning with organisational and national priorities.
• Develop and deliver cyber security training to raise awareness and support a positive security culture across the agency.

You will be an effective communicator, able to build trusted relationships and influence a wide range of stakeholders. You'll combine strong technical knowledge with a collaborative approach, contributing to a secure, resilient operating environment.

This role offers the opportunity to help embed security in an innovative emergency services organisation where your work helps secure critical systems.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing security consultation on projects, strategic programs, and procurement activities, defining cyber and technical controls inline with MCA policy, and ensuring Secure by Design principles are embedded.
• Providing cyber security consultation within the MCA Change Management process, assessing the potential security impact of proposed changes to digital services and infrastructure to ensure risks are identified, documented, and appropriately mitigated.
• Leading the security assessment and risk evaluation of SaaS and desktop applications requested by the Business, ensuring alignment with MCA's organisational security standards, ISMS suite, risk appetite and data protection regulations.
• Work collaboratively with Technical Architecture colleagues, and third parties, to scope security testing for MCA applications and environments.

About You

You are someone who combines strong technical security expertise with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders, both inside and outside government. You understand that good security isn't just about controls-it's about context.

You can assess cyber risks not just technically, but in terms of the real-world consequences and organisational impacts they present. You excel at communicating those risks in clear, non-technical language, helping others understand the implications of their decisions and the level of risk they may be accepting.

You bring experience in evaluating technical designs, applying protective security principles aligned with government standards, and advising on solutions that are both secure and practical. You support the design and implementation of proportionate controls and contribute to a strong, resilient security posture.

With a natural curiosity and a drive to improve, you stay alert to evolving threats and opportunities-drawing on insight from other government departments, industry forums and wider best practice. You're motivated to share knowledge, identify better ways of working, and help shape the future of cyber resilience at the MCA.

You are someone who builds trusted relationships and collaborates effectively, whether you're working with internal delivery teams, external suppliers, or cross-government security communities. You understand the importance of inclusive, clear communication and are confident in your ability to influence at all levels.