Join to apply for the Security Support Officer role at Social Security Scotland.
Social Security Scotland provided pay range
This range is provided by Social Security Scotland. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Are you ready to play a key role in protecting a large public‑sector organisation? We are seeking a Security Support Officer to join our dedicated cyber operations team within the Digital Risk & Security branch of the Chief Digital Office at Social Security Scotland.
This role sits at the heart of our Security Operations capability and provides an important first line of defence for the organisation. The role involves the monitoring of security tools, analysis of data from multiple sources, and determining which defined processes should be followed to protect the agency.
The ideal successful candidate will have experience in problem solving, and analysis of data from multiple sources and interpreting this in a fast moving and dynamic environment.
You will also review outputs from vulnerability scanning activities, carry out initial triage of findings, and produce clear and timely reporting to support effective security risk management across Social Security Scotland. This role offers the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a real operational setting, contribute directly to the organisation’s security posture, and to develop your skills alongside experienced security professionals.
This role involves carrying out daily tasks, such as monitoring and responding to mailbox queries, which can cover a wide variety of security related queries and having the autonomy to provide advice and guidance on less complex technical queries or provide analysis and support to more senior members of the team on more complex scenarios.
The role will also be required to review output from vulnerability scanning, providing level one triage of output and producing required reporting and management information in a timely manner to under the security risk across Social Security Scotland.
Responsibilities
* Vulnerability Management, provide first level support to analyse data of vulnerabilities identified from security scans and assess these according to established procedures.
* Monitoring of security tooling – daily monitoring of security systems, dealing with initial analysis of output, following required run books with no required supervision and identify where required the need for escalation and provide ongoing support to more senior members of team on more complex situations.
* Identity and access management – review and handle access requests, escalating difficult requests, and follow processes for creating or updating new user accounts, and supporting ongoing checks of access rights to ensure they are appropriate. Continuously monitor access and follow established procedures to handle any non‑compliant, inactive or privileged accounts.
* Providing support for managing DRS IAM queues. Providing support to requester to ensure that only required access is provisioned and providing analysis on existing roles and privileges as required.
* Providing front line support of any security incidents impacting the team. Undertaking analysis of information from multiple sources to provide required information and providing recommendations and next steps for less complex security situations. Being the first line of support dealing with security incidents and escalating and supporting senior colleagues on more complex security incidents.
* Documentation Support: provide admin support by updating changes to processes and procedures as advised and assist with the development of run books or playbooks under guidance which will form part of procedures.
* Continuous monitoring of all security mailboxes. Dealing with any incidents, queries and reporting to various teams within DRS. This will cover a large range of queries, which will require initial triaging and where possible analysis and resolution of less complex scenarios and support senior team members in analysis on more complex queries.
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 how we assess the Success Profile elements.
Experience
* Evidence of working in a level 1 Security Team, Technical Service Desk or working within an environment that requires good analytical skills that can be adapted within a technical cyber security role.
* Hands on experience, or good understanding of working with computers, software or technical cyber security controls, emerging trends.
Behaviours
* Communicating and Influencing (level 1)
* Deliver at pace (level 1)
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here: Success Profiles – Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk).
How to Apply
Apply online, you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Success Profiles above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and personal statement on first experience criteria.
Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.
We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications, it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.
Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Technical Assessment. The interview will further assess the Experience and Behaviours listed in the job advert and the assessment in the form of a presentation, will evaluate the technical skills relevant to the role.
Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift – w/c 12th January 2025
Interview – w/c 26th January 2025
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.
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.
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).
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 recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.
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 on Gov.UK – Skilled Worker visa: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-before-applying.
Further Information
This post requires the successful candidate to clear additional National Security Vetting clearance before a start date can be offered. Further information regarding National Security Vetting clearance can be found here – National security vetting: clearance levels – https://www.gov.uk/national-security-vetting.
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.
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 – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/selection-for-appointment.
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 recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.
If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.
Apply before 12th January 2025 @ 23:55
Contact Name – Resourcing Team
Contact Email – recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot
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