Penetration Tester - SC CLEARED - Wokingham, Berkshire And Remote - 5 Months+ - START: JAN/FEB

Octopus Computer Associates; England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT security consultancy is seeking an SC Cleared Penetration Tester to join their team. The role involves conducting technical assessments, producing reports, and participating in risk assessments while ensuring compliance with security standards. Applicants must have a relevant degree, proven IT security experience, and knowledge of penetration testing tools. The position offers a combination of on-site and remote work, with an emphasis on maintaining high professional standards while engaging with clients.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years in an IT security role to CTM level with SC clearance capability.
• Experience in Cloud Security (AWS/Azure).
• Proven ability to document findings and provide recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct technical assessments and consultancy services.
• Produce technical reports and executive summaries.
• Participate in IT Health Checks and risk assessments.

Skills

Penetration testing tools such as BurpSuite

Excellent written and verbal communication

Organizational skills

Knowledge of multiple operating systems (Windows & NIX)

Ability to travel to customer locations

Education

Relevant degree/post–graduate degree

Tools

BurpSuite

Metasploit

Nmap

Job description

Penetration Tester - SC CLEARED - Wokingham, Berkshire and remote - 5 months+ - START: JANUARY/FEBRUARY

(Tester, Test, Testing, Test Analyst, Test Engineer, Test Specialist, AWS, Azure, Cloud, Crest, CyberScheme)

One of our Blue Chip Clients is urgently looking for an SC Cleared Penetration Tester.

Role Description

A penetration tester plays a vital role within the UK's cybersecurity industry, particularly when assisting organisations with managing and mitigating security risks. The core responsibilities of a penetration tester are to identify vulnerabilities that are present in an organisation's IT infrastructure, applications, and networks through rigorous testing. Employing both manual and automated techniques to simulate real‑world attacks, this role assesses a company's security posture against any potential threats. Testers should also be responsible for maintaining an up‑to‑date knowledge of the ever‑evolving threat landscape, adhering to ethical guidelines especially when handling sensitive data. In addition to strong technical skills, a penetration tester also needs to demonstrate strong communication skills so complex findings can be described to non‑technical stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as a professional, deliverable Technical Consultant (Penetration Tester CTM), offering clients a totally professional customer service experience, whilst adhering to its core values and company policies and procedures.
• Conduct the full range of effective and comprehensive technical assessments and consultancy services to the highest standards.
• Maintain an accurate and up‑to‑date knowledge of information security issues, keeping abreast of new technologies, methodologies, techniques, vulnerabilities and market trends and communicating this throughout the team.
• Produce concise and accurate technical reports and executive summaries, in line with client and company expectations in accordance with the QA manual and within defined deadlines.
• Participate in more specialist areas of technical assessments and consultancy services where required.
• Participate in delivery of security management consultancy including IT Health Checks (ITHC), risk assessments and compliance and standards‑based audits, where required.
• Engage with and fully participate in research & service development projects.
• Ensure professional, coherent and relevant communication within our clients at an appropriate level, using relevant language and at all times behaving in a manner that reflects the values of the client. Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Ensure that work is carried out in accordance with defined policies and procedures.
• Complete all tasks in a manner that displays a commercial awareness; i.e., managing client expectations and ensuring that project tasks are completed on time and on budget.
• Complete administrative duties, which include weekly timesheet and expense submissions.
• Through the course of your duties, identify opportunities for further business development and growth and ensure that this is communicated to your line manager, the PMO and Sales department.
• Where necessary assist the commercial team in the preparation of test scopes and proposals.
• Carry out any other additional, reasonable and alternative tasks that may be required from time to time.

Required skills, experience and personal attributes

• Proven experience (2‑3 years) in an IT security role to CTM level and the ability to attain or have SC clearance (UK Single National).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, great organisational skills and ability to work in a pressurised environment whilst meeting deadlines. Use of MS Office software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel to customer locations.
• Strong knowledge of penetration testing tools such as BurpSuite, Metasploit, Nmap, etc.
• Good knowledge of multiple operating systems (Windows & NIX).
• Ability to configure network devices, firewalls, IDS/IPS devices and wireless technologies.
• Document findings in detailed reports, providing clear recommendations for remediation using an in‑house reporting tool.
• Good understanding of common security standards and regulatory compliance such as GDPR, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS.
• Ability to work effectively and positively within a team, sharing knowledge and skills.

MUST

• Relevant degree/post‑graduate degree.
• CHECK Team Member qualification (Crest/CyberScheme).
• Experience in Cloud Security (AWS/Azure).

Please send CV for full details and immediate interviews. We are a preferred supplier to the client.