Junior Security Specialist

Irish Life Group Services Limited; Leinster; Hybrid; EUR 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Pension plan

Learning & Development support

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Irish Life Group Services Limited in Ireland is offering an entry-level graduate role in cyber security. Working as part of the Cyber Services team, you will undertake defined junior operational and administrative tasks, learn the team’s processes and technologies, and support more experienced colleagues in delivering secure and reliable services to the business.

The role provides supervised experience across security operations, incident response, vulnerability management, security consultancy,

Qualifications

• Graduates with degree in cyber security or related discipline may be considered.
• No prior professional cyber security experience required; placement or internship beneficial.
• Good written and verbal communication, organised and methodical.

Responsibilities

• Support incident and service queues by recording items and escalating issues.
• Assist with initial information gathering for security events.
• Support vulnerability management and remediation tracking.
• Maintain team procedures and documentation.
• Contribute to testing, changes and automation opportunities.
• Follow security, risk, privacy, regulatory requirements.

Skills

Cyber security degree

Analytical mindset

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Degree in cyber security or related field

Tools

Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Entra

Vulnerability management tools

Service management tooling

Security reporting tools

Digital forensics tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Job description

• Hybrid role based in our City Centre offices

What we offer We have embraced a hybrid working model for most of our positions, which means that you can enjoy a balanced approach of working from home for part of the week and working from the office for the remainder of the week.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including competitive salaries and bonuses, robust Learning and Development support, excellent Defined Contribution pension and comprehensive Wellbeing initiatives and support to name but a few.

This is an entry-level opportunity for a graduate who wants to begin a career in cyber security. Working as part of the Cyber Services team, you will undertake defined junior operational and administrative tasks, learn the team’s processes and technologies, and support more experienced colleagues in delivering secure and reliable services to the business.

The role will provide supervised experience across security operations, incident response, vulnerability management, security consultancy, digital forensics and service management. You will not be expected to arrive as a subject-matter expert. You will be expected to demonstrate curiosity, sound judgement, attention to detail and a willingness to learn.

Cyber Services supports the organisation by coordinating local security incident response, managing vulnerability remediation activities, providing security advice, supporting authorised digital forensic requests, and maintaining service governance, reporting and continuous improvement. The graduate will work under the direction of the Cyber Services Manager and will be supported by senior team members.

The role often involves supporting and working alongside SOC analysts, security engineers, cloud engineers and infrastructure teams while learning how enterprise cyber security services are delivered.

It also requires communication and feedback to line management, change and service management and project management on progress. It is a busy role and requires excellent time management and prioritisation skills.

With training, documented procedures and appropriate supervision, you will:

• Support the team’s incident and service queues by recording new items, checking that required information is present, updating records and escalating issues to a senior colleague.
• Assist with initial information gathering for security events and incidents, including collecting relevant logs, timelines and supporting evidence as directed.
• Support vulnerability management activities by reviewing assigned reports, helping to track remediation actions, following up with system owners and maintaining accurate status information.
• Carry out defined administrative and monitoring tasks for security tools and services using approved procedures and access controls.
• Help prepare routine dashboards, metrics, service reports, action trackers and evidence packs for governance, audit and management review.
• Assist senior colleagues with security consultancy requests by gathering requirements, recording decisions and maintaining supporting documentation.
• Support authorised digital forensics and information-gathering activities by maintaining case records, evidence inventories and chain-of-custody documentation under supervision.
• Contribute to testing, implementation and documentation of low-risk changes, process improvements and automation opportunities.
• Maintain team procedures, knowledge articles, playbooks, asset records and handover notes so that information is clear, current and reusable.
• Participate in projects and service improvement initiatives as a supporting resource, completing assigned actions and escalating blockers promptly.
• Undertake structured learning, shadow senior staff and progressively take ownership of suitable tasks as knowledge and confidence develop.
• Follow company security, risk, privacy, regulatory and change-management requirements, and raise concerns promptly.

What you will need to be successful in the role

• A relevant degree in cyber security, information technology, computer science or a related discipline. Graduates awaiting final results may also be considered.
• No previous professional cyber security experience is required. Relevant placement, internship, laboratory, project, helpdesk or technical support experience would be beneficial.
• A basic understanding of information technology and cyber security concepts, with an interest in developing practical knowledge.
• An organised and methodical approach, with the ability to follow procedures, maintain accurate records and manage assigned tasks.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain progress and ask for help when required.
• An analytical mindset and a willingness to investigate problems, gather evidence and learn from feedback.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work respectfully with technical and non-technical colleagues.
• An understanding of the importance of confidentiality, secure handling of information and appropriate escalation.
• A commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

More specific responsibilities will include

Desirable, but Not Essential

• Exposure through study or personal projects to Microsoft security technologies, endpoint security, vulnerability scanning, identity and access management, scripting or data analysis.
• Awareness of common security principles or frameworks such as least privilege, defence in depth, NIST or ISO 27001.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel, Power BI, ticketing systems or collaboration tools to organise and report information.

A Typical Day

No two days are the same, but a typical day may include:

• Reviewing alerts, incidents and service requests assigned to the Cyber Services team.
• Assisting with vulnerability remediation tracking and reporting.
• Supporting a senior analyst with the investigation of a security event.
• Preparing metrics, dashboards and governance reports for management review.
• Attending project meetings and documenting actions.
• Updating procedures, knowledge articles and service documentation.
• Participating in training, mentoring sessions or shadowing experienced team members.
• Assisting with security consultancy requests from business and technology teams

This role is designed to provide a foundation across multiple cyber security disciplines. You will receive mentoring from experienced security professionals and gain exposure to incident response, vulnerability management, consultancy, governance and digital forensics. As your skills develop, you will have opportunities to specialise and progress into more senior technical or operational cyber security roles.

You will gain exposure to a range of enterprise technologies and processes including Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Entra, vulnerability management platforms, service management tooling, security reporting solutions and digital forensic processes.

About us

Canada Life is one of Europe's leading financial services organisations, helping millions of customers build financial security and confidence through life insurance, pensions, investments and retirement solutions. As part of Great-West Lifeco, we operate across the UK, Ireland, Germany and the Isle of Man, combining the strength and stability of a global group with deep local expertise. We are investing in technology, innovation and our people to create better experiences for customers, colleagues and communities, while shaping the future of financial services across Europe.

Central Technology Services (CTS), Europe, delivers the technology services and platforms that support Canada Life's European businesses. Responsible for infrastructure, cloud services, technology operations and service management, CTS provides the secure, resilient and scalable technology foundations that enable our colleagues to serve customers every day.

As CTS continues its transformation journey, the team is focused on modernising technology services, strengthening digital resilience, and leveraging cloud, automation and AI to improve efficiency and colleague experience. Joining CTS offers the opportunity to work on large-scale technology transformation initiatives and help build the future of shared technology services across a leading European financial services organisation.

The company reserves the right to draw up a shortlist as part of the selection process. Where Agency assistance is required the Canada Life Recruitment Team will engage directly with suppliers. Unsolicited CVs / profiles supplied to Canada Life by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.

Canada Life Group Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We have created an environment of inclusion and growth to help people achieve their potential, to ensure they can bring their whole selves to work and to feel valued. We celebrate diversity of thought and perspective and want all of our employees to feel valued, respected and supported.

We have built a culture that promotes equality and inclusion for all of our current and future employees and strive to ensure that our behaviours, processes and practices are aligned to this culture.

If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process please contact [e-mail] and we will be delighted to ensure you are fully supported to be your best.

CLGS supports Equal Opportunity and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.