Security Operations Analyst

Job summary

Make a difference

Every role at CQC contributes to our mission. If you’re looking for a new role in Cyber Security that gives a true sense of meaning and purpose, then you’ve found it! Our team helps keep CQC’s systems and data safe, so we can focus on improving health and care for everyone.

Picture this

You’re working in a supportive team, investigating security alerts, making sense of complex information, and helping reduce risks across the organisation. Your work helps keep systems safe and ensures we respond quickly to emerging threats.

• As a Security Operations Analyst, you will lead the early investigation of a suspected data breach, analysing information from multiple systems to provide clear recommendations that protect sensitive data.
• You will also carry out in-depth research into cyber threats and trends, using advanced tools to identify patterns and suggest improvements to strengthen our security approach.

Job description

The role

You’ll play an important part in delivering our mission. In this role, you’ll:

• Manage security incidents: Act as a key contact for security alerts, queries, and incidents, ensuring they are logged, assessed, and handled quickly to reduce risk.
• Investigate and analyse threats: Carry out detailed investigations into cyber incidents, including root cause analysis, and suggest clear actions to prevent repeat issues.
• Improve security and resilience: Work with internal teams and partners to fix vulnerabilities, strengthen defences, and support the ongoing development of our security tools and processes.

Person specification

Show us

We will be looking for specific skills, knowledge and experience in your application form:

• Experience investigating and responding to cyber security incidents, including analysing data and recommending actions to reduce risk.
• Hands-on experience using Microsoft security tools such as Sentinel, Defender XDR, or Entra to monitor, detect, and respond to threats.
• Experience working with recognised security standards or frameworks (such as ISO 27001, GDPR, or similar) and applying them in day-to-day work.

Benefits

The Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• Annual leave starting at 27 days per year, rising to 32.5 days with service, plus bank holidays (usually 8 days per year).
• Training and development opportunities.
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as gym discounts and meditation.
• NHS pension scheme, with around 14% employer contribution.
• Discount schemes (including eligibility for a Blue Light card, at a cost of £4.99 and valid for 2 years), reward vouchers, car leasing and more!

Please see our benefits page for the full list.

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

Career site

Interview Information
Please note that interviews for this role will be held in person at CQC offices. Candidates will be asked to confirm their availability and preferred location as part of the application process. Planned interview dates are:

• Tuesday 30 June 2026 (London)
• Wednesday 01 July 2026 (Newcastle)
• Thursday 02 July 2026 (Leeds)
• Tuesday 07 July 2026 (Nottingham)
• Thursday 08 July 2026 (Bristol)

https://cqc.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/2982?c=cqc&source=CSJ

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

Security

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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

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 : Alex Foster
• Email : Alex.Foster@cqc.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@cqc.org.uk

Attachments

Security Operations Analyst JD V2 Opens in new window (docx, 28kB)