Associate SOC Analyst

NCC Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working

Generous Holiday Allowance

Medicash & Critical Illness Scheme

Pension, Life Assurance, and ShareSave

Community & Volunteering Programmes

Green Car Scheme

Cycle Scheme

Special Time Off

Family Planning

Job summary

NCC Group in Manchester is seeking an Associate SOC Analyst to join our Security Operations Centre. The role centers on monitoring, analyzing, and responding to security incidents in a 4-on/4-off shift pattern within a fixed-term contract.

You will work with SIEMs, IDS/IPS, and other security tools while collaborating with senior analysts to improve detection, response, and preventative measures across critical systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Security, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Network+, Security+.
• Basic understanding of networking protocols, operating systems, and security technologies.
• Familiarity with security tools such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, antivirus, and vulnerability scanning tools.
• Ability to interpret and analyse security logs and events.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication skills and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Monitor health and security alerts and events from SIEM, IDS/IPS, and other tools.
• Conduct initial triage of security incidents to assess severity and impact.
• Document incident details with findings and evidence.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Escalate countermeasures for threats, vulnerabilities and actors.
• Collaborate with SOC team, IT staff, and stakeholders to respond to incidents.
• Contribute to security documentation and playbooks.
• Document and conform to monitoring procedures.

Job description

Associate SOC Analyst

Department: Cyber Services and Capabilities

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: GBR Manchester Hardman Boulevard

Reporting To: Ross Cornwell

Description

Manchester
4 On 4 Off Shift Pattern
The Associate SOC Analyst plays a vital role in the Security Operations Centre (SOC), contributing to the organisation's overall cybersecurity posture by actively participating in the monitoring, analysis, and response to security incidents and events. With a focus on continuous learning and collaboration, the Associate SOC Analyst supports the SOC team in identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential security threats and vulnerabilities. Through the application of foundational technical skills and a strong dedication to detail-oriented analysis, the Associate SOC Analyst assists in safeguarding the organisation's critical systems, data, and assets from cyber risks. By working closely with senior analysts and leveraging emerging technologies, the Associate SOC Analyst helps maintain a vigilant and proactive defence against evolving cyber threats, enabling the organisation to operate securely and with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor health and security alerts and events from various sources including security information and event management (SIEM) systems, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and other monitoring tools.
• Conduct initial triage of security incidents to assess their severity and potential impact on the organization.
• Document and maintain incident details, including initial findings, actions taken, and any relevant evidence.
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Initiate escalation procedure to counteract potential threats, vulnerabilities and threat actors both internally and externally.
• Collaborate with other SOC team members, IT staff, and relevant stakeholders to effectively respond to security incidents.
• Provide customer service that always exceeds our customers’ expectations.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of security documentation, including incident response playbooks, standard operating procedures, and knowledge base articles.
• Document and conform to processes related to security monitoring procedures.
• Compilation and review of service focused reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Security, or related field (orequivalent experience).
• Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Network+, Security+.
• Basic understanding of networking protocols, operating systems, and security technologies.
• Familiarity with security tools such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, antivirus, and vulnerability scanning tools.
• Ability to interpret and analyse security logs and events generated by various systems.
• Flexibility to quickly learn and adapt to new security tools, technologies, and processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Desirable Requirements

• Relevant certifications such as CompTIA CySA+, GCIH, CSA, CEH.
• Hands-on experience with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms (e.g., Splunk, ELK Stack, IBM QRadar) and their use in aggregating and analysing security event data.
• Proficiency with security tools such as intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and vulnerability scanning tools.
• Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell) for automation and analysis tasks.

Benefits

• 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.