Chief Information Security Officer – Core Services

This high impact role is accountable for strengthening the Cyber Risk position of digital capabilities delivered by the Core Services team within National Armaments Digital & Data. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, driving innovation, ensuring risks are suitably mitigated and embedding secure‑by‑design principles into everything we do. Your expertise will make a real difference, helping to safeguard national security and ensuring our digital future is resilient, secure and ready for tomorrow’s challenges.

Ensuring robust governance, risk management and compliance frameworks are in place, you’ll champion a positive security culture across the organisation, improving cyber security and information security awareness, knowledge and skills.

• Act as the primary point of contact for Cyber and Information Security, ensuring strong governance and clear accountability across the organisation and supply chain.
• Deliver and maintain the Cyber and Information Risk Management Framework, identifying, assessing and mitigating risks effectively.
• Drive secure‑by‑design principles and digital resilience into all programmes and services from the outset.
• Oversee audits, incident management and adherence to Defence standards and regulations.
• Champion awareness and training, so everyone understands their role in maintaining security.
• Ensure Data Protection Advisors and Information Asset (DPIA) Owners manage personal data responsibly, with DPIAs in place for systems and services.
• Ensure all cyber and information security incidents, breaches and near misses are appropriately managed, reported and investigated appropriately, to ensure that risk is mitigated and lessons identified, recorded and learnt.
• Line management of a small team and matrix management within a larger organisation.

We would expect to see experience in Cyber and Information Security leadership and demonstrable ability to develop and maintain governance and risk management frameworks. You’ll have a thorough understanding of secure‑by‑design principles, digital resilience and compliance requirements, with experience of managing security incidents, audits and remediation activities. This position may be suitable for individuals with relevant skills and experience in information security governance & management, risk assessment & information risk management, technical security architecture or with appropriate skills gained in an ICT assurance or compliance environment.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with a risk‑based approach.
• Ability to lead cultural change and promote security awareness across diverse teams.
• Experience in Cyber and Information Security leadership, and demonstrable ability to develop and maintain governance and risk management frameworks.

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Technical skills
• Information risk assessment and risk management
• Applied security capability
• Protective security

Regular travel will be required to other MOD locations in the UK. Successful candidates will be required to undergo DV clearance if not already held. This position is open to sole UK Nationals only.

• This post is eligible for a Digital Skills Allowance of up to £18,000 per annum. Eligibility for this allowance will be assessed at interview against 4 core technical skills only and reviewed annually in line with MOD policy.
• Salary: £72,840 per annum.
• Ministry of Defence contributes £21,101 towards a Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
• Flexible working options – we understand the importance of adapting work to your life.
• Inclusion and diversity – our culture celebrates uniqueness and encourages collaboration of diverse thought.
• Generous annual leave – starting with 25 days and growing to 30 after just 5 years.
• Pension contribution: 28.97%
• Minimum of 15 days special leave in a rolling 12‑month period to volunteer for military or emergency service reserve commitments.
• Special paid leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club and Gyms.

Further Information: The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six‑month probation period. Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.