Cyber Security Technical Architect

Vallum Associates; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 104,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Job summary

Vallum Associates is seeking a Cyber Security Technical Architect specializing in DR runbooks for a Gloucester-based hybrid role with 4-6 days onsite per month. You will define and test DR runbooks, align recovery patterns with BIA-driven targets, and lead tabletop exercises to validate recovery logic.

Experience in Disaster Recovery, Operational Resilience, ISO 27001/NIST frameworks, and working in regulated environments is essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in technical architecture, infrastructure, cyber security, or resilience roles.
• Experience designing and implementing Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity solutions.
• Experience developing and testing recovery runbooks for critical services.
• Strong knowledge of BIAs, RTOs and RPOs.

Responsibilities

• Create DR runbooks per in-scope IT service, aligned to DR patterns and RTOs.
• Design tests and walkthroughs to validate recovery steps and sequencing.
• Lead DR exercises, failover testing, and recovery assurance activities.
• Handover finalized, tested runbooks with clear ownership.

Skills

Disaster Recovery

Business Continuity

Technical Architecture

Cyber Security

DR Runbooks

Stakeholder Communication

Regulated Environments

Tools

ISO 22301/27001 knowledge

NIST Framework

Job description

Job Title: Cyber Security Technical Architect specializing in DR Runbooks(SC Cleared) Location: Gloucester (Hybrid - 4-6 days per Month onsite) Duration: 6Months+ Rate: 650GBP/Day Inside IR35

SC Cleared Candidates Required

The Role

We are seeking a Desktop Support Engineer to provide onsite IT support services for the HPC Client at the Bridgewater site. The role holder will be responsible for delivering high-quality end-user support, ensuring the stability, availability, and performance of desktop, laptop, mobile, and peripheral devices across the site.

The Desktop Support Engineer will work closely with end users, service desk teams, infrastructure teams, and third-party vendors to troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, network, and Microsoft 365-related issues. The role includes device deployment, break-fix support, asset management, user account support, and ensuring adherence to client IT policies and security standards.

The successful candidate will provide responsive onsite technical support, manage incidents and service requests in line with agreed SLAs, support office moves and equipment installations, and contribute to continuous service improvement initiatives. Strong customer service skills, effective stakeholder communication, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced operational environment are essential.

Your responsibilities

The Desktop Support Engineer will provide onsite IT support services for the HPC Client at the Bridgewater site, working closely with end users, Service Desk teams, infrastructure teams, and third-party suppliers to ensure a reliable and efficient IT service. The role holder will be responsible for diagnosing and resolving hardware, software, networking, mobile device, and Microsoft 365 issues, while ensuring all incidents and service requests are managed in line with agreed service levels.

The Desktop Support Engineer will support device deployments, hardware break-fix activities, asset management, user onboarding and offboarding, workplace technology installations, and office moves. They will maintain accurate records within IT service management tools, elevate issues where required, and contribute to continuous service improvement initiatives.

The role operates within the HPC Digital & IT governance framework, ensuring compliance with client security policies, operational procedures, health and safety requirements, and industry standards.

• Highly organised and proactive.
• Comfortable working in a busy operational and site-based environment.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Confident managing incidents and service requests through to resolution.
• Able to build relationships quickly with end users, technical teams, and third‑party suppliers.
• Customer-focused, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Pragmatic, delivery‑focused, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Flexible and adaptable when supporting changing business and operational requirements.
• Committed to maintaining high standards of service, security, and documentation accuracy

Key Responsibilities

Service‑Specific DR Runbooks creation

• Newly developed DR runbooks, one per in‑scope IT service, each:
• Aligned to agreed DR patterns,
• Defining the minimum viable recovery state,
• Clearly sequenced and dependency‑aware,
• Explicitly aligned to BIA‑driven RTO.

Within each runbook

• Defines recovery steps that must succeed to continue,
• Identifies failure points that prevent further recovery,
• Specifies required escalation or stop actions.
• Runbook Testing & Walk‑Through Execution

For each runbook, the Technical Architect will

• Design and lead structured walk‑through or table‑top tests
• Validate:
• Recovery logic and sequencing,
• Pass / fail decision points,
• Clarity and completeness of steps.
• Work with Application Support to confirm executability.

Runbook Refinement & Issue Resolution

Based on testing outcomes

• Update and refine runbooks where:
• Steps are unclear or impractical,
• Dependencies or assumptions are incorrect,
• Recovery sequencing is flawed.
• Maintain a simple issue log showing:
• Issues identified,
• Changes made,
• Final resolution.
• Recovery Feasibility & Constraints Summary (Per Runbook)

For each runbook

• Clear statement of whether the recovery approach can realistically meet requirements,
• Documentation of known constraints or limitations,
• Identification of gaps requiring remediation or risk acceptance.
• Operational Handover to Application Support

Formal handover including

• Finalised, tested runbooks,
• Known assumptions and limitations,
• Clear ownership and maintenance expectations.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Experience

• 10+ years' experience in technical architecture, infrastructure, cyber security, or operational resilience roles.
• Proven experience designing and implementing Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity solutions in complex enterprise environments.
• Demonstrable experience developing and testing recovery runbooks for business‑critical services.
• Strong understanding of BIA processes and translating business requirements into recovery strategies, RTOs, and RPOs.
• Experience conducting DR exercises, failover testing, and recovery assurance activities.
• Experience working within Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), utilities, energy, nuclear, defence, or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of hybrid infrastructure, cloud recovery patterns, backup technologies, and replication solutions.
• Worked as a team with other such Technical Architects to complete DR runbooks in the past.

Key Knowledge Areas

• ISO 22301, ISO 27001, ISO 27031
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• Disaster Recovery and Operational Resilience
• Business Continuity Management
• Cloud and Hybrid Recovery Architectures
• Recovery Testing and Assurance Governance