At a Glance
- Tasks: Protect complex IT environments and lead cyber incident response investigations.
- Company: Join Unite Students, the UK's leading provider of student accommodation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days' holiday, a generous pension scheme, and health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in network security and knowledge of AWS and Azure environments.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
The Role
Unite Students are looking for an experienced Cyber Security Engineer to join a thriving and innovative team.
We are seeking an accomplished Cyber Security Engineer with a proven track record in protecting complex IT environments, both on-premise and cloud.
The ideal candidate will have in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity tooling, threat analysis, and hands‑on experience implementing and maintaining secure network infrastructures across diverse platforms.
They will also be a methodical problem‑solver with a strong security-first mindset and confident communication skills at all levels of an organisation.
The Role
Unite Students are looking for an experienced Cyber Security Engineer to join a thriving and innovative team.
We are seeking an accomplished Cyber Security Engineer with a proven track record in protecting complex IT environments, both on-premise and cloud.
The ideal candidate will have in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity tooling, threat analysis, and hands‑on experience implementing and maintaining secure network infrastructures across diverse platforms.
They will also be a methodical problem‑solver with a strong security-first mindset and confident communication skills at all levels of an organisation.
- What You
- ` ll Be Doing
- Lead the maintenance of the organisation`s firewalls, VPNs, network segmentation and secure remote access controls, ensuring they`re properly configured, monitored, and compliant with industry standards.
- Manage and improve endpoint security tooling including XDR, vulnerability scanners, and device hardening baselines.
- Continuously improve detection coverage by analysing threat trends and incorporating new indicators into network monitoring tools.
Liaise with SIEM/SOC provider to ensure effective detection, alerting and automated response.
- Ensure critical logs are captured, analysed, and retained in line with compliance and auditing requirements.
- Lead or support cyber incident response investigations, providing root cause analysis and remediation recommendations.
- Automate security controls, deployments, and monitoring using Power Shell, Python, Terraform, or similar tools.
- Oversee vulnerability assessments and ensure timely and appropriate patching of network and endpoint devices.
- Contribute to secure design reviews for new applications, cloud workloads, and infrastructure changes.
- Assist in third‑party risk assessments and technical reviews of supplier integrations.
- What We
- ` re Looking for in You
- An in-depth understanding and hands‑on experience of networking protocols and technologies including firewalls, perimeter security, endpoint security and XDR solutions.
- Strong understanding of secure network design: VLANs, VPNs, DNS, TCP/IP, segmentation, and access control.
- Proven experience securing AWS and Microsoft Azure environments, including identity management, RBAC, conditional access, and threat protection.
- Confident, credible communicator able to influence technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Proactive, accountable, and comfortable owning security decisions and outcomes.
- Demonstrable experience in a network security engineering role.
- Familiarity with security frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, CIS and GDPR.
- What You
- ` ll Get in Return
- A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company`s success
- 25 days` paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
- A generous pension scheme - employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
- Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
- Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non‑birthing parents
- Lots of other great benefits including an annual Share Save scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!
About Unite Students Founded in 1991, Unite Students is the UK`s leading provider of purpose‑built student accommodation.
You can find us in 23 leading university towns and cities, with 70,000 students calling US home!
We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.
Instinctive inclusion.
We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn`t just what we do but who we are.
People make Unite Students.
Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.
Room for Everyone
We`re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we`re passionate about building inclusive teams.
We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and you can truly belong.
We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people.
Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what`s right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar.
Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.
We are US.
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Senior Cyber Security Engineer employer: Unite Students
Unite Students in Portsmouth is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises student engagement and community building. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and performance-related bonuses, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth within the vibrant student accommodation sector. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a rewarding career in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cyber Security Engineer
✨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 Unite Students, 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 Unite Students
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Unite Students. 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 Cyber Security Engineer
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 Unite Students 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 Unite Students that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Unite Students
✨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 Unite Students 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 Unite Students.
✨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.
