Security and Information Risk Advisor

Social Security Scotland; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

GDD pay supplement

Job summary

Social Security Scotland is seeking a Security and Information Risk Advisor to guide information security risk management within our Digital Risk & Security team. You will advise on controls, conduct risk assessments, investigate breaches, and help shape policies and standards to ensure regulatory compliance.

The role emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders, delivering secure technical solutions, and contributing to a resilient security posture across Scotland's public services.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of information security standards (ISO/IEC 27001, NIST SP 800-53) and related legislation (DPA 2018, GDPR).
• Ability to assess effectiveness of controls and implement proportionate risk mitigations.
• Experience in risk-based assurance and working with stakeholders to improve security posture.

Responsibilities

• Conduct risk-based assurance reviews of internal solutions and third-party suppliers.
• Manage complex risks, issues, remediation activities, and lessons learned.
• Design and review secure system architectures to deliver strong business outcomes.
• Assess vulnerabilities and evolving security technologies and propose controls.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and communicate complex security concepts.
• Apply knowledge of policy, governance, and regulatory requirements to develop secure solutions.

Skills

ISO 27001

NIST SP 800-53

Risk assessment

Security policies

Stakeholder management

Job description

Are you ready to drive effective information security risk management for a vital public service? Join us as a Security and Information Risk Advisor within our Digital Risk & Security branch, where your expertise will guide our commitment to protecting Social Security Scotland. If you are passionate about cyber security and have a keen interest in safeguarding critical information, apply now to join our talented team and take the next step in your career.

As a Security and Information Risk Advisor, you will play a pivotal role in providing advice and guidance on the effective specification, implementation, and operation of cyber security controls. Collaborating closely with various stakeholders, you will conduct security risk assessments, investigate major breaches, and contribute to the development of information security policies, standards, and guidelines. This is a key technical position within Digital Risk & Security, focusing on ensuring compliance with legislation, regulation, and relevant standards.

Typical Role Level Expectations

• Provide advice and guidance on security strategies to manage identified risks and ensure adoption and adherence to standards.
• Obtain and act on vulnerability information and conduct security risk assessments and business impact analyses on complex information systems.
• Investigate major security breaches and recommend appropriate control improvements.
• Contribute to development of information security policy, standards and guidelines.
• Interpret information assurance and security policies and apply these to manage risks.
• Use control testing information to support information assurance assessments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct risk-based assurance reviews of internal solutions and third-party suppliers, assessing control effectiveness, identifying risks and vulnerabilities, and recommending remediation activities to support compliance and informed risk-based decision-making.
• Manage complex risks, issues, remediation activities, and lessons learned, applying appropriate risk methodologies and advising on risk impact, tolerance, and mitigation strategies.
• Design and review secure system architectures, applying architectural principles, patterns, and appropriate levels of rigour to deliver effective business outcomes.
• Assess the impact of vulnerabilities, emerging technologies, and developments in security technologies on existing and future systems, recommending appropriate responses and controls.
• Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships, managing expectations, resolving issues, and facilitating discussions on complex or high-risk matters, often within challenging timescales.
• Represent the security profession and communicate complex technical and risk concepts to a wide range of audiences, both internally and externally.
• Apply knowledge of systems, security, policy, business architecture, and legal or regulatory requirements to develop secure technical solutions and controls.

Success Profiles

We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:

Experience

• Knowledge of information security standards like ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST SP 800-53, combined with understanding of current legislation such as DPA 2018 and GDPR. Proven ability to interpret and apply these standards and legal requirements to ensure compliance and integrate best practices into organisational operations.
• Demonstrable ability to evaluate the effectiveness of technical, physical, procedural, and personnel controls, recommend improvements, and work with stakeholders to implement proportionate risk mitigation measures that strengthen the organisation's overall security posture.

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing (Level 3)
• Delivering at Pace (Level 3)

Technical / Professional Skills

This role is aligned to Security and Information Risk Advisor within the Government Digital and Data Profession.

These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will not be assessed at application stage. Please review the following to understand the skill expectations: Security and information risk - Information Assurance and Security: Security and information risk - gov.scot

Information Session

We are holding a candidate information session for this role to provide you with information about the application and interview process as well as further information on the role and team. We will be talking about:

• The Security and Information Risk Advisor role and Digital Risk and Security team
• About Social Security Scotland
• Our recruitment process
• Q&A with the hiring manager

The session will be held on Thursday 15th October 2026 at 12-1pm.

Expected Timeline (subject to change)

Sift - w/c 26th October

Interview – w/c 9th November

Location - In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow

Reserve List

In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.

About Us

Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

GDD Pay Supplement

This post is part of the Government Digital and Data (GDD) profession and currently attracts a £4,000 annual GDD pay supplement, which is paid monthly. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly.

Working Pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

This post also requires the successful candidate to clear additional National Security Vetting clearance (Security Check) before a start date can be offered. Further information regarding National Security Vetting clearance can be found here -National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK.

Equality Statement

Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail].

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Right to Work in the UK

Social Security Scotland is an approved sponsor under the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Please note that UK immigration guidance, including skill and salary thresholds and eligible occupations, is reviewed regularly and subject to change. If you require visa sponsorship, you should check the latest criteria to confirm whether this role meets current requirements before applying. You can find further advice at Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Further Information

Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at [e-mail] in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via [e-mail]

Apply before 23:55 on Thursday 22nd October 2026.

Contact Name- Resourcing Team

Contact email – [e-mail]