IT Security Specialist - Contract (Inside IR35) SIEM/SPLUNK/ SO 27001 IT Talent Solutions LTD is representing a leading organisation seeking a highly skilled IT Security Specialist to join their team on a contract basis. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced professional to play a key role in safeguarding critical infrastructure and data assets. You'll be responsible for ensuring security best practices are adhered to, maintaining security accreditations, and driving continuous improvement across systems and processes. Working closely with the IT Security Manager, you will be a crucial part of the organisation's security operations, incident response, and compliance activities. Key Responsibilities SIEM Administration: Monitor and manage Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems. Firewall and Proxy Audits: Conduct audits and coordinate required changes with the Infrastructure Team. Incident Management: Support Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) activities to enhance incident readiness and response. ISO 27001 Compliance: Ensure business processes align with ISO 27001 standards and support audit requirements. Security Compliance: Maintain compliance with security accreditations and internal directives. Risk and Compliance Management: Oversee risk management processes and ensure adherence to relevant standards. Project Security Oversight: Ensure all projects incorporate security requirements and follow Secure by Design principles. Business Security Integration: Collaborate with internal teams to embed security best practices into their workflows. Threat Intelligence & Research: Stay up to date with evolving cyber threats and mitigation strategies. Penetration Testing & Audits: Arrange and oversee security assessments and audits. Policy & Procedure Development: Keep security policies and procedures updated and effective. Risk Assurance Documentation: Create and maintain essential risk assurance documentation. Security Awareness & Training: Lead internal security awareness initiatives, including best practices and advisory updates. Change Documentation: Maintain accurate records of all security-related changes. Other Responsibilities: Perform additional tasks as required by the IT Security Manager. Essential Requirements Qualifications Degree in Computing or equivalent. MCSE, CCNA certification (advantageous but not essential). Experience Proven experience in a security or data analysis role. Hands-on experience with Splunk (or similar SIEM tools). Strong knowledge of ISO 27001 compliance and risk management. Technical Knowledge & Skills In-depth understanding of Microsoft operating systems. Experience securing cloud environments (Azure/AWS). Familiarity with Splunk ES (advantageous). Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels. Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. A collaborative team player who embraces accountability, teamwork, and customer-centric approaches .