Cyber Security Graduate Programme

Job summary

Do you have a degree in Computer Science, Cyber Security or a STEM subject?

Are you seeking a two-year fixed term appointment to start in September 2026?

Do you want your placement to be with an award-winning leader in digital transformation?

If so, this Cyber Security Graduate Programme would be an excellent opportunity for you.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA here Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

The Graduate Programme Cyber Security Analyst role is part of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA's) Centre of Digital Excellence, looking to build skills across digital roles. You will undertake formal learning alongside building skills and experience in one of DVLA's Digital Teams.

Our department within the DVLA has a proven track record of developing people with a passion for IT. This two-year intensive programme will combine formal training with hands on experience, designed to teach you the skills you need to lay a solid foundation for a highly sought-after career in cyber security.

The DVLA are looking for 2 driven individuals to get involved in this exciting graduate scheme. Furthering your education and being a part of a fast paced and encouraging workforce.

You will be based in our Information Technology Services (ITS) department, working closely with experienced Cyber Security Professionals who will guide and support you to develop your career.

You will be part of a dynamic team where the activities will include working as part of the DVLA Security Operations Centre (SOC), evaluating cyber risk, supporting a security consultancy practice and using a wide range of modern security tools and controls.

We’re looking for individuals with an interest in cyber security, have an analytical mindset, the ability to make decisions under pressure and the desire and commitment, to learn and develop new skills while building experience leading to a long-term career.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• You will initially be assigned to work as part of the SOC with training to get the basic skills required to analyse security events using modern detective and analytics tooling and to respond to security incidents. This should equip you to fulfil the role of a Tier 1 SOC Analyst and will also include some skills associated with Tier 2 SOC roles.
• Early in your time with us you would also be taught the basics of cyber risk analysis and risk management, and how to evaluate the security relevance of technical and IT change.
• As your experience grows you will also have the opportunity to acquire the basics of security architecture and an understanding of a range of security tools and controls.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile.

Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Open Sessions: Would you like to find out more about the role, the digital team and what it’s like to work at DVLA? If so, we are organising a familiarisation session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on 08/04/26 at 12.30pm.

Please click here to book on - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dvlaitsrecruitment/eo-cyber-security-graduate-programme-2026-familia…

Person specification

Essential qualifications:

Suitable for individuals with, or about to achieve a relevant Honours Degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science or any of the following STEM Subjects:

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics.

If you believe you have a degree in a STEM related subject but are not sure this relates to this qualification requirement, please contact ITSRecruitment@dvla.gov.uk before you answer this question.

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Required experience:

To undertake this unique opportunity, you will need good analytical skills and be effective at making decisions, as well as having an aptitude for IT and a commitment and drive to learn new skills. You will be committed to developing the skills you need to succeed in a career in cyber security.

We are looking for enthusiastic, flexible individuals with an interest in seeking a career in cyber security. You will be motivated, proactive, with a passion for self-development and someone who enjoys the opportunity to drive change in a fast paced and dynamic IT environment.

During your time with us you will be supported by experienced mentors, professionals with many years of experience and our dedicated Capability and Talent team. The programme will provide the opportunity to undertake professional qualifications including Certificate in Information Security Management Principles (CISMP) and CompTIA Security +.

Additional Information

You must have valid and eligible residency status and have continuous residency in the UK for 5 years before the start date.

To enable you to join us in this outstanding opportunity, we will need you to be available to start on 02/09/26.

Working for the DVLA Digital Team

At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 53 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.

To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog.

The programme will include undertaking a number of qualifications that will require examinations as well as on-team training. There will be regular assessment points to evaluate the progress and proficiency of candidates. You will be assessed at checkpoints throughout the programme, failure to successfully meet the standard during checkpoints could result in 3 months’ notice being provided to cease employment. We reserve the right to seek full or partial repayment of costs associated with your qualification, should you not contribute to the programme, or may include related costs such as exam fees, membership fees or materials.
Throughout the programme you will be assessed at key checkpoints. At the end of the programme, you will undertake a final assessment against the EO Junior Security Architect role. Successful candidates will be considered for appointment to vacancies in this role, subject to availability.

Current Civil Servant Information

This post is offered on a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) basis to complete a finite piece of work.

For permanent Civil Servants, this role is only available on loan, so you must have your home department’s approval to return to them at the end of the loan before you apply. There is no opportunity for a permanent Civil Servant to take on this role as a fixed term appointment. OGD applicants will be appointed on an inward loan and subject to the terms of the agreed inward loan. Internal candidates will return to their previous post at the end of the loan period, which will need to be agreed with your line manager in advance.

If you are applying as an internal DVLA candidate, you are eligible to apply. Staff currently working in DVLA who are not able to secure a role following completion of the course of the programme would be redeployed back into the agency in line with the posts available at the time at their substantive grade. If there are no suitable posts available at that time then DVLA redeployment processes will apply. This would be underpinned by a loan agreement.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

This role is full time only. Full time roles at DVLA consist of 37 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

Security Check

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, candidates will be required to have at least 5 years continuous residency in the UK. All applicants for this role must ensure that they meet this minimum residency requirement - if you do not, your application will be withdrawn.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Applied Security Capability
• Information Risk Assessment & Risk Management

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,485, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £8,831 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
• Generous employer contribution of 28.9%, depending on chosen pension scheme
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks
• On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
• On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Free parking

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750-word count).

Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

• Tell us about your current exposure to Cyber Security and what you would like to gain from securing a place on the programme. Please consider: any learning/qualifications you have in IT; what things interest you in this field?
• Describe a time when you have been proactive in developing your skills and how you shared this with your wider team or community.
• Please describe a time when you have worked collaboratively as part of a team while under pressure.

Should we receive a high volume of quality applications, we may invite a shortlist of the highest scoring candidates to interview. This means that some applications that meet the required standard could be placed ‘on hold’ after the sift and invited to interview if the vacant position(s) remain unfilled. You will be notified if your application is being put ‘on hold’ once the sift has been completed. Following interviews, any applicants remaining on hold will be notified by the panel of the next steps regarding their application.

The sift will take place on 16/04/26 & 17/04/26.

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours – Making Effective Decisions & Working Together

• Technical - Government Security Profession:
  - Government Security Profession Framework - Applied Security Capability (Awareness) Page 278
  - Government Security Profession Framework - Information Risk Assessment and Risk Management (Awareness) Page 297

• Strengths

The interviews will take place week commencing 27/04/26.

This interview will be conducted in person at our Swansea office (DVLA, Longview Road, SA6 7JL). Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

We will also hold a 9-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service within the last 12 months, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit theHow We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All External applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour

Threats or acts of violence

Illegal activity or substance misuse

Sexually explicit material

Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public.

Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle—it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture.

If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

Vetting

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Jemma Avo
• Email : ITSRecruitment@dvla.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

Attachments

Role Profile (1) Opens in new window (docx, 139kB)DVLA Digital Job Brochure - V1 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 3618kB)