What's involved with this role: Role: Senior Systems Security Specialist Job Ref: QAD 2111/0503 Pay Rate: Competitive Market Rate Hours per week: 37 hours per week Contract Length: Anticipated 12 months Location: Hybrid, Reading West Berkshire Hybrid working: onsite 1-2 days per week We are seeking a Senior Information Systems Security Specialist to assess risks to information systems, providing critical analysis to inform risk owners and project managers. In this role, you will play a key part in enabling effective decision-making to protect organisational assets. As a trusted advisor to the CISO and the information security management team, you will deliver expert guidance on security protocols, ensuring that technical security advice is readily available for IT projects when needed. Additionally, you will contribute to the development and implementation of security architecture, with a strong emphasis on essential security controls to safeguard systems. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in security assurance, with a working knowledge of accreditation and assurance frameworks. Familiarity with industry standards such as CISM, CISSP, XCCP, or ISO 27001 is essential. Experience in stakeholder management and a background in the public sector are highly desirable. This role would also be well suited to individuals with experience in secure ICT environments, including but not limited to telecommunications. Key Accountabilities: Information Risk Assessment & Management – Work with functions, projects, and the supply chain to identify information risks and recommend mitigation strategies. Security Architecture & Complianc e – Advise on security requirements for projects, review solution designs for compliance, and ensure alignment with overall security architecture. Accreditation & Risk Governance – Facilitate system accreditation, oversee IT Health Checks and vulnerability assessments, and advise managers on risk tolerance. Technical Risk Analysis & Assurance – Conduct risk assessments, track information capability evaluations, and support audits and reviews. Industry Best Practices & Professional Development – Stay updated on HMG, MoD, and industry security standards, develop Information Risk Management professionalism, and lead Security Working Groups as needed. Key criteria: Security Assurance & Risk Management Expertise – Proven experience in assessing and managing information risks, with a strong understanding of security assurance practices and frameworks like CISM, CISSP, XCCP, or ISO 27001. Security Architecture & Compliance Knowledge – Ability to advise on security requirements for IT projects, ensuring solutions align with security architecture and meet necessary compliance standards. Accreditation & Vulnerability Management – Experience in facilitating system accreditation, overseeing IT Health Checks, vulnerability assessments, and advising on appropriate risk tolerance levels. Industry Best Practices & Stakeholder Engagement – Up-to-date knowledge of HMG, MoD, and industry standards, along with experience in stakeholder management and leading security initiatives. Please quote the Job Title & Vacancy Reference No. in your application, or we will be unable to match your CV to the role being applied for. Security Clearance: SC highly desirable; candidates with active SC clearance will be fast-tracked Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a more accessible way for us to communicate, please do let us know. If you consider yourself to have a disability or if you are a veteran, and you meet the essential criteria for the role, you will be put forward for the ‘Guaranteed Interview’ scheme whereby you will have the opportunity to discuss this role and your suitability with a member of the Sourcing team. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we provide the best talent and encourage all applications regardless of background, in line with our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion. Am Please note that clients invariably ask us to strip out contact details from CVs before we submit them for consideration. This is always quicker and easier to do if you send your CV to us in Word format, rather than as a PDF please.