Cyber Security Analyst

Old Moat; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is seeking a Cyber Security Analyst to protect its digital infrastructure against cyber threats. Your role will involve threat hunting, vulnerability management, and security governance. You will collaborate with IT professionals to develop security strategies and enhance the council's resilience against attacks. This position is primarily office-based during probation, with opportunities for hybrid work thereafter. The council offers benefits including generous leave, a pension scheme, and continuous development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Local government pension scheme

Enhanced family leave options

Discounts on various services

Learning and development opportunities

Paid volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Recent experience in operational security and working with managed service partners.
• Ability to seek and neutralise security threats using threat intelligence tools.
• Expertise in identifying security vulnerabilities and risk assessment.
• Experience with managing firewalls and access controls.
• Knowledge of web and email filtering solutions.
• Practical knowledge of EDR and XDR technologies.
• Experience in security monitoring and alerting processes.
• Understanding of ICT Security environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct continuous monitoring and analysis of network traffic for security threats.
• Identify security weaknesses and conduct vulnerability assessments.
• Oversee defences including perimeter firewalls to enforce security policies.
• Manage filters to block phishing attempts and malware.
• Administer and respond to EDR/XDR technologies to mitigate threats.
• Create and manage security policies for compliance.
• Manage and respond to security incidents using SIEM tools.

Skills

IT Security Operations Experience

Proactive Threat Hunting

Vulnerability Identification

Defence and Firewall Management

Web and Email Filtering

EDR and XDR Technologies

Security Monitoring and Service Recovery

IT Service Operations

Job description

About The Role

Working hours: Flexible 24 hours per week; may expand to full-time next year

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 11.59pm, 28 December 2025

Interview method: in person (face to face)

This role is subject to:

• 2 references - where possible, we require 3 years' history
• BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) clearance - this post is subject to BPSS checks. You will therefore be required to consent to and comply with BPSS checking requirements prior to commencing in this post. This check involves verification of identity; nationality and immigration status; employment history (past 3 years) and basic criminal record check.
• In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

We are seeking a highly skilled Cyber Security Analyst to join our proactive ICT Cyber Security and Compliance Service. Our mission is to protect networks, devices, and data from unauthorised access or criminal use by ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

In this role, you will be at the forefront of our efforts to protect and defend against malicious cyber‑attacks. Our modern, proactive operational Cyber Security team is dedicated to providing:

• Threat Hunting: Actively seek out potential threats before they can cause harm. This involves continuous monitoring and analysis of network traffic, system logs, and other data sources to identify unusual patterns or behaviours that may indicate a security threat.
• Vulnerability Management: Identify and address security weaknesses in our systems. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments, apply patches and updates, and implement security controls to mitigate risks.
• Defence Management: Oversee and fine‑tune our defences, including perimeter firewalls, through granular rule and object management. Ensure that our security policies are effectively enforced and that our network is protected against unauthorised access.
• Web and Email Filtering: Implement and manage filters to protect against malicious content. Configure and maintain web and email filtering solutions to block phishing attempts, malware, and other threats.
• EDR and XDR Technologies: Administer and respond to Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) technologies to swiftly mitigate threats. Monitor alerts, investigate incidents, and take appropriate actions to contain and remediate threats.
• Security Governance and Compliance: Create and manage policies and processes to ensure that all technology remains secure and compliant. Ensuring that all security layers align against our Internal Security Standards and Statutory and Regulatory obligations.
• SIEM Management: Manage, monitor, and respond to security incidents and events using the Council’s Security Incident and Event Monitoring (SIEM) platform. Ensure timely detection, analysis, and response to security incidents to minimise impact and support recovery efforts.

As part of our team, the successful candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring the security and integrity of the Council’s information systems. You will work closely with other IT professionals to develop and implement security strategies, respond to incidents, and continuously improve our security posture. Your proactive approach and expertise in cyber security will help the Council remain resilient against the heightened global cyber threat landscape.

While hybrid working applies to this role, during probation you will be office‑based due to the systems you’ll be using.

Join us in protecting the digital backbone of Manchester City Council and ensuring a secure environment for our internal staff, external partners, and the residents and visitors of Manchester.

About the Candidate

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Cyber Security Analyst to join our team, working on‑site at the Town Hall Extension. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cyber security, with relevant experience and skills that include:

• IT Security Operations Experience: Recent experience as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team managing operational security (firewall, content filtering, DMZ, Pen Testing, Vulnerability Management) and working with external managed service partners.
• Proactive Threat Hunting: Demonstrated ability to actively seek out and neutralise potential threats. Experience with threat intelligence tools and techniques, and a deep understanding of the latest cyber threats and attack vectors.
• Vulnerability Identification: Expertise in identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities. Experience with vulnerability scanning tools, penetration testing, and risk assessment methodologies.
• Defence and Firewall Management: Experience in managing defences and perimeter firewalls with a focus on granular rule and object management. Proficiency in configuring firewall rules, managing access controls, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity.
• Web and Email Filtering: Proficiency in providing and managing web and email filtering solutions. Experience in configuring filters to block malicious content, managing spam and phishing protection, and ensuring compliance with security policies.
• EDR and XDR Technologies: Detailed practical knowledge of administering and responding to EDR and XDR technologies. Experience with endpoint security solutions, incident response procedures, and threat detection and remediation.
• Security Monitoring and Service Recovery: Experience of security monitoring, alerting, and service recovery in a pressurised and complex environment.
• IT Service Operations: Significant experience of IT Service Operations, understanding how an IT installation works across 24x7, and a high level of knowledge of ICT Security environments, risks, and challenges.

The Council is committed to investing in your professional growth and providing opportunities for continuous learning and development. If you are passionate about cyber security and have the skills and experience to help Manchester City Council enhance our service offer and defend against global cyber threats, we would love to hear from you.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance – Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension – You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three‑times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave – Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks – Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow – We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member – We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognise three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave – Give back to the community with three days pro‑rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text‑to‑speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long‑term condition

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability‑friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [e-mail].

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre‑employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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