Overview
Senior Information and Cyber Security Officer
Job Info
* Job Identification 3512
* Profession DDaT
* Job Family Cyber Security and Information Assurance
* Locations Glasgow, United Kingdom Dundee, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
* Working Pattern Full Time
* Which requisition process does this apply to? Standard
* Number of Openings 1
* Apply Before 04/16/2026, 10:55 PM
Are you ready to make a real impact in cyber security? We’re looking for an experienced Senior Information and Cyber Security Officer to join our Digital Risk and Security branch at Social Security Scotland. In this key role, you’ll help drive our Security Risk and Assurance programme and strengthen our governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks.
You’ll work at the heart of our security function—partnering with the Cyber Security Risk and Assurance Manager and contributing to the ongoing development of our governance, risk, and compliance capabilities across the organisation.
The ideal candidate can:
* Apply deep expertise in governance, risk management, and assurance, using ISO 27001, NIST 800‑53, GDPR, and DPA 2018 to strengthen organisational security.
* Identify, analyse, and mitigate cyber risks, giving stakeholders clear, actionable advice that enables well‑informed, auditable decisions.
* Engage and influence stakeholders, lead policy, compliance, and third‑party assurance activities, and drive the maturity of security frameworks and the ISMS.
* Contribute to security projects, build security awareness across the organisation, and support incident response to contain and resolve threats.
Responsibilities
* The Senior Information and Cyber Security Officer identifies, understands and mitigates cyber-related risks. They provide risk or service owners with advice to help them make well informed risk based decisions.
* Independently undertake risk management activities within a given area of practice or expertise, usually within established security and risk management governance structures.
* Lead the analysis and derivation of business-supporting security needs, undertake Cyber Security related risk assessments, conduct tailored threat assessment and other risk management activities, and ensure activities are consistent with applicable regulations and legislation.
* Provide tailored advice to a range of stakeholders on how to remedy identified risks by proportionately applying security capabilities, using published guidance, standards, and drawing on a range of experts as well as personal expertise.
Provide expert security advice that highlights Cyber Security related risks, so risk or service owners can make well-informed and auditable decisions.
Security Leadership & Governance
* Serve as a key point of contact for security advice and guidance.
* Lead security governance groups to promote and maintain strong security practices.
* Help maintain the organisation’s desired cyber security posture in line with its risk appetite.
* Provide leadership and guidance to a small team of security professionals to ensure high quality service delivery.
* Identify, assess, and manage cyber threats and risks to protect organisational assets.
* Conduct compliance audits to ensure adherence to internal and external security requirements.
* Perform internal and external security assessments to evaluate controls and drive continuous improvement.
* Support teams in identifying vulnerabilities, conducting risk and impact assessments, and implementing protective actions.
* Develop and maintain information security policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
* Provide guidance to support the effective adoption of security policies and standards.
* Support and enhance the organisation’s Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Third Party & Supplier Assurance
* Work with third parties to obtain independent assurance on the effectiveness of security controls.
* Oversee third party security by assessing supplier controls and ensuring compliance with organisational requirements.
Security Projects & Consultancy
* Lead the design, procurement, and implementation of security projects to strengthen the organisation’s security posture.
* Deliver specialist security consultancy to support successful project outcomes.
Awareness & Incident Response
* Contribute to the development and delivery of a security awareness programme that strengthens the organisation’s security culture.
* Support incident response activities to contain, investigate, and resolve security incidents.
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 frameworkhere .
* In-depth 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.
* Comprehensive understanding of internal and external information security risks, and proficiency in identifying, assessing, and implementing administrative, physical, and technical controls to mitigate these risks effectively.
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviourshere:Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Technical / Professional Skills:
This role is aligned to Lead Cyber Security Risk Manager within theDigital, Data and Technology Profession.
These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. Theywill be not beassessed at application stage.Please review the following to understand the skill expectations: Cyber Security Risk Manager - Cyber security: advisory - gov.scot
How to Apply
Applyonline, providing a CV and Supporting Statement(of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profilesabove.Be sure to provide specific examples of work that you’ve done that showcase your relevant experience.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factuallyaccurateand taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has beenidentified(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 seeourcandidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment
Shoulda large number ofapplications be received,an initialsift may be conductedusing the CV andSupporting Statement on the first Experience criteria. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.
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 Technical Assessment will evaluate the Technical Skills relevant to the role.
Candidates who pass the sift and are invited to the Interview and Technical Assessment stage will receive a Technical Assessment Candidate Pack, which will outline the skills to be assessed and the assessment methods to be used.
Following the application sift, there may be a telephone interview as part of the assessment process before the main interview.
We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receivea large number ofapplicationsit 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.
Information Session
We are holdingacandidate 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.
The session will be held on Thursday 9th April at 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
We will be talking about:
• The Senior Information and Cyber Security Officer role and team
• About Social Security Scotland
• Our recruitment process
• Q&A with the hiring manager
Please join us using the link below to find out more about the role and working for Social Security Scotland:
Join the meeting now
Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift – w/c 20 th April
Interview – w/c 4 th May
Location –In Personin either Dundee or Glasgow
Reserve List
In the event thatthere are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.
AboutUs
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from allwalks of lifein 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 aboutwhat we offer .
As part of theUK Civil Service, we uphold theCivil Service Nationality Rules .
DDaTPay Supplement
This post is part of the Scottish Government Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) profession and as a member of the profession you will join the professional development system. This post currently attracts a £5,000 annualDDATpay supplement, applicable after a 3monthscompetency qualifying period. The payment will be backdated to your start date in the role. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly and there is one currently underway. Changes will be communicated when the review is concluded.
WorkingPattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours perweekand 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), beforethey can be appointed. BPSS iscomprisedof four main pre-employment checks – Identity,Rightto work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
This post also requires the successful candidate to clearadditionalNational Security Vetting clearance (Security Check) before a start date can be offered. Further informationregardingBPSS and National Security Vetting clearance can be found here -National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK
Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality andinclusion,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 mayrequirethroughout the recruitment process andduring the course ofyour employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you mayrequireassistancewith any part of our recruitment process, please contact us atRecruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.
Find out more about our commitment todiversity and how we offer and supportrecruitment 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 yourequirevisa 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: Overview - GOV.UK
Further Information
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.
How to Apply
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 atrecruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with theresponseyou receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply onourCareers Website .
ReadourCandidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
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