Location
City of Westminster

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£105,000 per annum

About the Role
The Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (Cyber Operations) is a senior strategic leadership role accountable for cyber defence and operational cyber security outcomes across the Home Office. Reporting directly to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), this role provides enterprise-wide leadership and assurance over cyber operations, ensuring threats are detected and addressed, incidents are managed effectively, and cyber risk to critical services is understood, prioritised and reduced in line with business priorities and risk appetite.

As one of two Senior Civil Service Deputy CISOs, you will set the strategic direction and operating model for cyber operations, enabling effective governance and decision-making through clear metrics, management information and risk-based prioritisation. You will lead the Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) functions and build an integrated cyber operations capability across the Home Office.

Supporting over 55,000 staff and hundreds of public-facing digital services and critical national functions spanning borders, migration, policing and identity services, this role works closely with senior digital, technology and business leaders, as well as maintaining strong links with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and cross-government cyber operations partners to deliver a coordinated, threat-led and outcomes-focused defence.

You will provide senior leadership across the full cyber operations lifecycle, including protective monitoring, vulnerability management, threat-led defence, incident management, security testing and human cyber risk interventions. As the cyber operating model matures, you will assume leadership and line management responsibility for cyber operational leads embedded across Home Office Digital business areas, driving consistency, collaboration and operational effectiveness.

Key responsibilities include setting and maintaining the enterprise cyber operations strategy aligned to the Home Office cyber security strategy, providing senior leadership and assurance across cyber operations, leading an integrated cyber operations community, ensuring cyber operational tools deliver decision-grade insight, overseeing enterprise incident management, leading operational readiness for major cyber incidents, building trusted relationships with senior leaders across government, and deputising for the CISO as required.

Experience
- Setting and delivering enterprise cyber operations strategy and operating models aligned to organisational priorities and risk appetite.
- Leading enterprise cyber capabilities including monitoring, threat management, vulnerability management, incident response and security testing.
- Leading organisational responses to major cyber incidents, supporting senior decision-making and driving continuous improvement in cyber resilience.
- Influencing and partnering with senior stakeholders to prioritise cyber risk reduction and resilience across critical services and major programmes.
- Managing significant delegated budgets, commercial relationships and supplier spend to deliver strategic outcomes and value for money.
- Developing and leading high-performing cyber security teams, building capability, professional excellence and an inclusive culture.

About you
You will be a senior strategic leader with the ability to provide clear vision and direction in a complex, high-profile environment. You will demonstrate strong leadership skills, the ability to build and maintain trusted relationships across multiple stakeholders, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture. You will be adept at managing risk, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement, and communicating effectively at all levels of the organisation.

Qualifications
CISSP, CISM, CRISC or similar professional certifications are desirable but not essential.