The Government Security Function (GSF) oversees the delivery of protective security across Government. Our Mission is to enable Government to protect citizens and provide vital public services by understanding and managing security risks. We set the strategy and standards for Government Security, monitor departmental security performance, manage pan-government security incidents, support the delivery of key security capabilities and lead the Government Security Profession.
The Government Security Group (GSG) is the centre of the Security Function, based within the Cabinet Office. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team, with a breadth of stakeholders including in other Government departments, the National Technical Authorities and the Agencies, and to contribute to delivering improved security across Government.
The Cyber Directorate was formed in September 2022 following an independent review of GSG capability and priorities. A new Cyber Director post was created within GSG and existing teams leading three deputy directors, each leading the following teams: Cyber Operations and Assurance, Cyber Transformation, and Cyber Policy and Solutions. We are responsible for delivering the first Government Cyber Security Strategy.
GSG’s culture embraces a diverse workforce: we come from all walks of life. GSG values the fact that our different backgrounds, cultures, genders, experiences and ways of working ultimately bring us together as a more effective team. We strive for a collegiate and inclusive working culture that means our voice at every level is heard. Each one of us has a part to play in helping the Government to keep the UK secure.
GSG also wants to do better at recognising that we have responsibilities outside of work – so that we not only work hard, but we work smart – whether that’s full time, part-time or job sharing, we work flexibly. We promote hybrid working with a combination of time spent in the office and at home, where appropriate.
GSG is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We value and welcome diversity. We will not tolerate harassment or other unfair discrimination on grounds of sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation. We promote and support the diversity of our workforce, promote learning and development, and celebrate our successes.
This post leads the Cyber Directorate’s Cyber Engagement Team, which is responsible for relationship management with government departments and coordinating engagement on central cyber policy initiatives, capability development, national cyber programme spend and incident coordination. The role oversees engagement with cyber teams in lead government departments, arms length bodies (ALBs) and the wider public sector including the NHS and blue light services, as well as the devolved administrations. The role frequently engages with government’s CISO and security adviser communities, as well as working closely with cyber policy colleagues across the NCSC, DSIT and Cyber GSEC.
The post requires strong relationship management and leadership skills as well as a good technical understanding of cyber enterprise security.
Responsibilities will include:
* Setting and delivering a cyber engagement strategy to guide GCD’s engagement with central government and the wider public sector, forming strong partnerships with departments to understand their progress towards meeting the target outcomes in the Government Cyber Security Strategy.
* Leading a team of four engagement officers who are responsible for delivering the cyber engagement strategy, including setting the direction for the team and prioritising the competing demands for their expertise.
* Maintaining relationships with security leaders across government and providing senior engagement support for critical departments such as the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Defence and the NHS.
* Building a knowledge base of departmental cyber maturity and facilitating information flows on this topic between key government stakeholders, to inform prioritisation of central cyber services.
* Identifying opportunities for intervention services with departments based on their cyber maturity, including opportunities for information exchange between departments with similar challenges.
* Close working with GCD’s wider cyber assurance function to support the delivery of GovAssure, the flagship cyber assurance scheme for government. This includes facilitating consultation with departments about improvements to the scheme and coordinating their participation each year.
* Coordinating and deconflicting activity with other central cyber organisations such as the NCSC and Cyber GSEC, and identifying closer ways of working with their engagement functions.
* When broader security incidents require it, coordinating the team’s surge support offer to the GCD Operations function. This may involve issuing communications and collating data across government, working closely with partners to support them through crisis.
* Representing the Cyber Directorate at government and public fora, presenting on cyber security strategy and policy.
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