Graduate Cyber Security Consultant

Actica Consulting; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Substantial training

Mentorship programs

Job summary

A consultancy firm in the UK is seeking a Cyber Security Consultant to engage in various consultancy assignments, providing technical assurance, developing security architectures, and advising clients on best practices. The ideal candidate will have a strong STEM background, with NCSC certification preferred. This role offers a hybrid working model, providing a great opportunity for career advancement in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Good degree in a STEM subject; master's or PhD is a bonus.
• NCSC certification in Information/Cyber/Security preferred.
• Understanding of technology in business and public sectors.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assurance for proposed solutions.
• Develop architectures to mitigate new technology risks.
• Advise on Information Assurance and architectural risks.

Skills

Passion for enhancing Cyber Security

Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders

Strong interpersonal skills

Adaptability to fast-paced environments

Education

Good degree in STEM

NCSC certified master's degree

Job description

We will provide you with a fantastic springboard into a consulting career with client engagement and project work the norm from the start. You will gain experience in a manner that will provide the right level of support to ease the transition from an academic environment, whilst enabling you to make a positive contribution at an early stage.

As a Cyber Security Consultant, you will work as part of an Actica team to undertake a number of varying consultancy assignments. You will be given the opportunity to undertake a variety of roles throughout the project lifecycle, working across a wide-ranging set of clients and cutting‑edge technologies.

Our work covers a broad range of topics including architecture development, cyber security, programme and project management through to data engineering/analytics and AI. We have a long track record of successful delivery and, as a result, are trusted to work on some of the UK Government’s most important and sensitive projects.

The range of clients and project work we offer ensures that you will gain exposure to a wide variety of technical and business challenges in a short space of time.

Roles and Responsibilities

Working as part of an Actica team, your consultancy assignments could include:

• Providing technical assurance that proposed solutions are fit for purpose;
• Developing new architectures that mitigate the risks posed by new technologies and business practices;
• Providing advice to customers on Information Assurance and architectural problems and risks;
• Supporting the development of Risk Management Accreditation Document Sets (RMADS);
• Scoping security testing activities, and explaining the findings and required remedial actions to project stakeholders;
• Investigating security incidents;
• Promoting security awareness within project teams, and within the company.
• Conducting Cyber Security Risk Assessments.
• Providing Assurance of cyber security management controls and processes.

Amongst other things you will gain experience in a manner that will provide the right level of support and challenge to ease the transition from an academic environment, whilst enabling you to make a positive contribution to project work at an early stage.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Actica is looking for candidates with a passion for enhancing the Cyber Security of UK public sector digital services and technology. We pride ourselves on giving high calibre consultants the chance to excel. You will be motivated, willing to learn and have the ability to work with other consultants and client staff or independently.

The fast-moving nature of the technology environment requires our consultants to be quick thinkers, proactive and self-motivated – with the ability to apply structured approaches to often unfamiliar subject matter.

In more detail, we look for candidates with:

• A good degree in a STEM subject, with further study at Masters and / or PhD level a bonus;
• An NCSC certified Information / Cyber / Systems Security master’s degree, alongside a good Cyber / STEM based degree;
• An understanding of the use of technology in business and public sector contexts;
• Familiarity gained through studies with the HMG Security Policy Framework (SPF) and the NCSC Information Assurance Portfolio, IA Standards, Good Practice Guides, Architecture Patterns, etc…

Although these are not essential, you will also benefit from having one or more of:

• The ability to present and justify conclusions to project teams and stakeholders;
• A willingness to take on new and unfamiliar subject matter;
• The ability to build and nurture durable working relations with stakeholders;
• Proven abilities in communicating and delivering to stakeholder expectations and requirements;
• Prior work experience gained in a technical and / or consulting environment.

Additional Requirements

• Must be eligible and willing to obtain UK Government Security Clearance.

Key Attributes for Success

• Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders, including resolving issues and identifying new opportunities.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Adaptability to a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid working model, with an office base in Guildford, Surrey and access to our other offices in London, Swindon and Cheltenham.
• Typical working week might involve 2-3 days working at clients’ premises or other locations and the remainder at home or in one of our offices.
• Some projects may require up to 5 days per week on-site with colleagues.
• The practicalities of some project work means that individuals may need to stay away from home during the working week.
• Team-based project environment with opportunities to participate in internal initiatives.

The nature of Actica’s business means that a wide and varied background is preferable and the capability to adapt quickly to change is always required.

You will be given the opportunity to further your career in consulting, specialising in the application of a broad range of methodologies and technical specialisations to a wide range of business problems.

A Mentor will be on hand to provide support and guidance throughout your journey with Actica. You will also work with a Performance and Development Manager, often outside of your project line of control, who will conduct regular reviews based on project feedback to set career objectives and identify training courses which are both relevant to your current project work, and aligned with your planned career progression.

We provide substantial training, including online, classroom and in‑house courses, leading to nationally recognised qualifications in areas such as Security Assurance, Security Architecture, Governance, Agile Methodologies, Project Management, Business Analysis, and Enterprise Architecture.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Actica aims to nurture a diverse workforce through inclusive working practices, promoting equality in our recruitment activities, and by employing candidates on the basis of merit. Discrimination against individuals on the grounds of protected characteristics is not permitted and we take steps to ensure that our staff are made aware of their legal responsibilities when making hiring decisions.

We offer a competitive suite of benefits.