JOB PURPOSE
1. To align IT security with business objectives and ensure that the confidentiality, integrity and availability of EA’s assets, information, data and IT services supports the organisation to achieve the corporate objectives.
2. To protect the interests of those relying on information, and the systems and communications that deliver the information, from harm resulting from failures of confidentiality, integrity and availability.
3. The objectives of the post will be met when:
- Information is observed by or disclosed to only those who have the right to know (confidentiality)
- Information is complete, accurate and protected against unauthorised modification (integrity)
- Information is available and usable when required, and the systems that provide it can appropriately resist attacks and recover from or prevent failures (availability)
- Business transactions, as well as information exchanges between enterprises, or with partners, can be trusted (authenticity and non-repudiation)
Leadership and management responsibilities
The IT Security Officer has the following leadership responsibilities for this portfolio of services:
Setting Vision and Strategy
4. Work with the ICT Assurance leadership to establish, maintain and communicate a clear and compelling strategic direction for information security across EA.
5. Contribute to the development of a strategic plan for cyber security and lead on the development of an ICT Assurance business plan.
6. Translate the corporate vision into ICT Assurance specific initiatives.
7. Lead the regionalisation and transformation of the section, and all related processes and procedures.
8. Contribute to the development and implementation of new policies in line with strategic direction and other public sector/cyber security organisations.
9. Contribute to the management of the scope of services being implemented by EA projects and 3rd party suppliers.
10. Challenge conventional approaches, harness new approaches and technology and maximise efficiencies.
Managing the Organisation to Deliver
11. Manage service delivery effectively to ensure that the section achieves the highest possible standards of performance and focuses on the needs of internal and external customers.
12. Agree service performance targets with ICT Assurance leadershipand other EA ICT leaders and provide regular progress reports to all levels of leadership.
13. Develop, agree and implement a robust annual operational plan for the section.
14. Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff according to their skills and abilities to meet the needs of the section.
15. Regularly monitor and review plans and make adjustments as required.
16. Manage and continuously improve the section to ensure delivery against performance targets, and to ensure that best value for money is achieved.
17. Ensure that the service contributes to overall Directorate and Corporate performance as appropriate, and provide update reports as required.
18. Ensure that ICT Assurance leadership receives high quality service-specific advice.
19. Ensure compliance with relevant legal, regulatory and statutory performance requirements.
20. Manage the relevant ICT Assurance section budgets in accordance with all relevant financial policy and procedures.
21. Contribute effectively to quality and performance management systems and ensure that the section is being managed as per the requirements of these systems.
22. Investigate all complaints and adverse incidents where outcomes are below expected standards.
23. Establish effective and rigorous quality assurance systems to maintain high standards.
Leadership
24. Work closely with ICT Assurance leadershipto provide the section with leadership and direction ensuring that corporate, directorate and service performance standards are achieved.
25. Promote the ethos and values of the authority and ensure that the section is focused on customer needs.
26. Foster a culture that supports achievement of the authority’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviours to staff in the section.
27. Lead/manage and communicate change and improvement initiatives within the section.
28. Lead, manage and develop staff within the section.
29. Train all Education Authority staff on cyber security risks.
30. Encourage staff involvement and engagement in the strategic development and operational delivery of the section.
31. Actively encourage teamwork and self-development, and create opportunities to maximise individuals’ potential, stimulate innovation.
32. Promote a positive culture of performance management within the section through individual and small-team accountability. Foster a culture of constructive feedback and learning, and a genuine commitment to regular and effective appraisals.
33. Lead and manage security incident response efforts.
Building Relationships and Working with Others
34. Build and maintain effective, professional and respectful stakeholder relationships.
35. Ensure efficient and effective internal communication with staff in the section.
36. Work closely with partner organisations, ICT Assurance leadership and colleagues to benchmark services and lead/manage and monitor change.
37. Build and maintain effective working relationships and clear lines of communication with the Head of ICT Assurance and Heads of Service within the Directorate and in other Directorates.
38. Develop and maintain clear lines of communication and effective working partnerships with relevant external stakeholders and service user groups.
39. Lead on/manage engagement with staff, schools and the public on major changes in the service that may affect them.
40. Work with external agencies; for example, education sector partner organisations, to identify opportunities for joint working that might bring greater consistency across the sector, and/or improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
Section-specific responsibilities
The following list provides an outline of the key responsibilities. It does not, however, represent a comprehensive list of tasks.
Control
41. Establish a management framework to initiate and manage information security for the ICT function and EA Programmes and deliverables.
42. Establish an organisational structure to prepare, approve and implement the information security policy for EA solutions.
43. Allocate information security responsibilities.
44. Establish and control information security documentation.
Plan
45. Devise and recommend appropriate security measures, based on an understanding of the requirements of the organisation.
46. Gather requirements from such sources as business and service risk, plans and strategies, service and operational level agreements, and legal, moral and ethical responsibilities for information security.
47. Consider factors such as the amount of funding available and the prevailing organisational culture and attitudes to security.
48. Upkeep of the information security policy as an organisation wide document, not just applicable to ICT.
49. Develop a threat and risk assessment to inform the development of security requirements.
Implement
50. Ensure that appropriate procedures, tools and controls are in place including security policies, incident management and disaster recovery.
51. Establish security procedures that are justified, appropriate and supported by senior management.
52. Evaluate supplier security responses, technical designs and supplier operating models.
53. Evaluate ongoing project implementation risk.
54. Develop IT vulnerability assessment plans and scopes for new systems and services.
55. Promote security awareness by developing and implementing a security awareness and training programme.
56. Establish a mechanism for measuring and managing improvement.
Evaluate
57. Supervise and check compliance with the security policy and security requirements in service and operational level agreements, and in underpinning contracts with suppliers.
58. Carry out regular audits of the technical security of IT systems during and post implementation.
59. Monitor Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for information security.
Maintain
60. Improve security arrangements as specified in service and operational level agreements and other documentation.
61. Improve the implementation of security measures and controls.
62. Carry out continual service improvement in relation to information security.
63. Work towards independent certification against ISO/IEC 27001.
This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the responsibilities and is not intended to be exhaustive.Other reasonable duties may be assigned by the Head of ICT Assurance in consultation with the post-holder.