Security Analyst

KFC UK & Ireland; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fast-food chain in the UK is looking for a Security Analyst to safeguard its systems and data. This mid-level role involves hands-on activities such as vulnerability management, compliance with standards like ISO 27001, and incident response. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, relevant certifications, and solid experience in IT security operations. Hybrid working and a comprehensive benefits package are included.

Benefits

Up to 11% company pension contributions

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

5 Live Well Days annually

Private healthcare

25% discount on food

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Experience as a Security Analyst or in IT security operations.
• Familiarity with incident response and security testing.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard systems through risk analysis and proactive security operations.
• Manage security policies and procedures.
• Conduct security risk assessments and monitor alerts.

Skills

Analytical

Communication

Collaboration

Self-Motivation

Process Discipline

Attention to Detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field

Relevant certifications (CompTIA Security+, CySA+, SSCP, GIAC, ISO 27001)

Tools

SIEM tools

Endpoint security/EDR

Vulnerability management tools

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Security Analyst is responsible for safeguarding the organization’s systems, data, and services through risk-based analysis, proactive security operations, and continuous improvement of controls.

This mid-level role blends hands-on technical work (e.g., vulnerability management, endpoint/EDR, SIEM monitoring) with risk reporting, mitigation planning, and compliance alignment (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST CSF, CIS Controls, GDPR). The successful candidate will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and adept at prioritizing workload based on quantified risk and business impact.

WHAT WILL YOU SPEND YOUR TIME DOING?

Security Operations & Management (30%)

• Contribute to, maintain, and enforce security policies, procedures, and standards.
• Oversee security risk assessments, vulnerability scans, and penetration tests.
• Monitor and triage security alerts from SIEM/EDR tools; investigate events, determine root cause analysis, and coordinate remediation.
• Coordinate with IT teams to implement technical safeguards, including firewalls, encryption, identity and access controls.
• Progress awareness programs to educate employees on security best practices.

Governance, Risk & Compliance (30%)

• Produce periodic risk reports and dashboards for leadership, highlighting trends, key risks, and recommended mitigations.
• Assist in policy/procedure development, secure baselines, and compliance evidence collection for audits.
• Contribute to risk assessments (systems, projects, suppliers), translating technical issues into business risk statements with likelihood/impact.
• Support control design and testing aligned to frameworks (ISO 27001 Annex A, NIST CSF, CIS Controls) and regulatory obligations (e.g., GDPR; PCI DSS if in scope).
• Hold clear authority to challenge priorities, influence sequencing of investment, and recommend funding decisions at enterprise level

Incident Response & Readiness (20%)

• Participate in incident response (IR) lifecycle: detection, analysis, containment, eradication, recovery, lessons learned.
• Maintain IR playbooks and run tabletop exercises; drive post-incident improvements and control tuning.

Vulnerability & Patch Management (20%)

• Own scheduled vulnerability scans; analyze findings, assign risk scores, and produce remediation plans in partnership with Infrastructure/tech teams.
• Track patching SLAs, exceptions, and compensating controls; measure and report progress against risk-based targets.
• Validate remediation through rescanning and regression checks

Working relationships

• Cross functional teams within technology; this includes making them clear on the security standards in relation to the products they own and making sure any suppliers they managed are clear on expectations.
• Wider business teams: this includes awareness on security posture and best practice, including items such as password behaviour, device control and application screen (onboarding of SaaS solutions etc).
• Global teams; includes working with our Yum! partners to ensure global compliance, trends and alignment, directly with audit but indirectly with strategy and alignment to new process/tools.

Qualifications

WHAT WE LOVE FROM YOU:

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Relevant certifications (one or more strongly preferred): CompTIA Security+, CySA+, SSCP, GIAC (e.g., GSEC/GCIH), AZ-500, MS-500, CCSK/CCSP, ISO 27001.

Experience

• Solid experience in a security analyst or similar role within IT security operations.
• Hands-on experience with vulnerability management (scanning, analysis, and remediation coordination).
• Practical experience with endpoint security/EDR and SIEM alert triage and incident remediation.
• Demonstrated ability to produce risk reports and drive risk mitigation actions with cross-functional teams.
• Exposure to incident response and security testing (e.g., assisting with pen tests, red team findings, or threat modeling).
• Familiarity with industry standards controls and regulations (e.g., NIST, CIS, GDPR, HIPAA).
• Familiarity with Directory Services (Active Directory and Entra ID) with emphasis on security.
• Good communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

Knowledge and Expertise

• Risk & Compliance: Solid understanding of risk assessment methodologies, control frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST CSF, CIS Controls), and regulatory basics (GDPR; PCI DSS).
• Security Controls: Network, endpoint, identity, data protection, secure configuration, and logging/monitoring fundamentals.
• Cloud & Modern IT: Working knowledge of security in Microsoft 365, Azure (IAM, Conditional Access, Defender suite), and common SaaS platforms.
• Threat Landscape: Awareness of common attack vectors (phishing, ransomware, privilege misuse, misconfiguration) and defense-in-depth strategies.

Skills

• Analytical & Detail-Oriented: Keen eye for anomalies; precise documentation and follow-through.
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication—translating technical detail into business-friendly risk insights.
• Collaboration: Works well with Infrastructure, Application, and Business teams; influences without authority.
• Self-Motivation: Proactive ownership; drives tasks to completion with minimal supervision.
• Process Discipline: Organizes workload, meets deadlines, and adheres to SLAs and standards.
• Ethics & Confidentiality: Handles sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier, because we know the juggle is real.

From flexible, hybrid working and Live Well Days, we’ve created a package that supports the real you, in and out of work.

You’ll get:

🏠 Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London)

💸 Up to 11% company pension contributions

🌴 25 days’ holiday (plus bank hols)

🧘 5 Live Well Days a year, just for you

🎯 Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance

🩺 Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching

👶 Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options

📚 Study support, income protection, life cover & more

🍗 And yes — 25% off the chicken

Because real ones deserve real rewards.

KEEPING IT REAL

We don’t hire staff — we hire people. People with real lives and aspirations, building real careers. Each of us has something special to add to the mix we call work, and we’ll always encourage you to add your perspective.

See, at KFC, everyone’s welcome — whatever your background, and whatever future you’re creating. We’ll look out for you because you’re one of us, not because you work for us. We’ll invest in your potential, because it’s what we’ve always done. But most of all, we’ll give you the freedom to be you, wherever (and whoever) you happen to be.

KFC FOR EVERYONE:

Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, KFC is a place where you can bring the real

you to work.

Our promise is this: every person who applies to a role at KFC, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, ability,

religion or sexual orientation, will have an equal opportunity to work here. We don’t just welcome, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups from all industries.

If you’d like any additional support with your application, have a disability or condition that may affect your performance during the recruitment process, or have any other requirements — just let us know. We’ll be there to help you be the real you.

READY?

We hope so. If you’re ready to be part of our community, now’s the time to apply.

Worried you aren’t ticking all the boxes?

Don’t - we’d still love to hear from you