* Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 11th January 2026
* Location: MOD Main Building, London SW1A 2HB or MOD Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9NR.
* Salary: £61,630
* Reference number: 440551
Job summary
The MOD's digital teams ensure we remain among the most technologically advanced Armed Forces in the world. We develop and lead in cutting-edge data science, automation and cybersecurity solutions, to protect the UK and its interests, at home and abroad. Our mission also goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving innovation that impacts lives across the globe.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
The Information Security Leader role is pivotal to Defence’s ability to safeguard sensitive information and maintain operational integrity. Recent high-profile cyber incidents have placed MOD information security under intense scrutiny from Ministers, the Cabinet Office, media and the public. Defence identified strengthening Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Automated Classification controls as critical actions, to mitigate such risks.
You’ll be responsible for the strategic direction, implementation and continuous improvement of Defence’s information security tooling, with a particular emphasis on DLP across MODNET. By leading the development and optimisation of technical controls and policies, you’ll ensure Defence data is proactively protected, risks are mitigated, and robust incident response capabilities are in place. You’ll enable rapid rule design, testing and deployment, making secure practices seamless and proactive, minimising the impact of incidents by alerting stakeholders to new risks.
Effective leadership in this area directly supports MOD’s resilience, protects sensitive information, and avoids significant un-forecast costs, thereby safeguarding operational integrity and public trust.
You’ll lead a small, technical team, being responsible for designing how the team operates and grows, working seamlessly with the other operational and incidents teams across the MOD.
Responsibilities
* Lead the development, deployment and optimisation of DLP and security tooling across MODNET.
* Collaborate with MOD, Government and industry partners, to align tooling and policies with best practice.
* Cohere the development, deployment and optimisation of DLP and security tooling, across Microsoft tenants within Defence.
* Manage, lead and mentor the Information Security team, supporting professional development, upskilling and performance.
* Drive continuous improvement and innovation in technical security operations.
Person specification
Please ensure that your CV and application meet the essential criteria below.
We would expect to see relevant skills and experience in deploying, managing and/or optimising information security tooling, especially Data Loss Prevention solutions and of leading and managing a team. You’ll also need to demonstrate experience of triaging and/or assessing, security or critical incidents (cyber, physical, personnel or information assurance).
You’ll need:
* Leadership, coaching and mentoring skills.
* Attention to detail, organisation and prioritisation.
* Calm under pressure, analytical and personable.
* Passion for security, technology and problem-solving.
* Motivation, commitment and desire for continuous learning.
* Ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
We have a strong learning and development ethos, supporting you to fulfil your potential by providing:
* Learning and development tailored to your role
* Professional skills development
* Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning
* Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by MOD
Additional information
This post is eligible for a Digital Skills Allowance of up to £15,300 per annum. Eligibility for this allowance will be assessed at interview against 4 core technical skills only and reviewed annually in line with MOD policy.
This position can be based at either MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB or MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9NR.
Work location will be agreed once the successful candidate has been selected.
Dependent on the business need, there may be a requirement to travel to meetings within the UK (or potentially occasional overseas visits).
If not already held, successful candidates will be required to undergo DV clearance.
Please note this position is open to sole UK Nationals only.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Leadership
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Information risk assessment and risk management
* Threat intelligence and threat assessment
* Legal and regulatory environment and compliance
* Threat Understanding
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Our benefits include:
* Learning and development tailored to your role with a dedicated minimum of 5 days per year.
* 25 days paid annual leave rising (by 1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of five years’ service.
* Ability to roll up to 10 days annual leave per year.
* In addition to eight public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday.
* A Civil Service pension.
* Parental and Adoption Leave.
* Discounts on a range of services within and external to the civil service – Defence Discount Service, Civil Service societies for Sports and Leisure, Healthcare, Insurance, Motoring, Company discounts with Virgin, Vodafone, and Microsoft Office.
* In year rewards and ‘thank you’ schemes such as vouchers and gift cards.
* A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
* Find out more here - Discovermybenefits.
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