Senior Information and Cyber Security Officer (5063)

Job summary

Are you ready to make a real impact in cyber security? We’re looking for an experienced Senior Information and Cyber Security Officer to join our Digital Risk and Security branch at Social Security Scotland. In this key role, you’ll help drive our Security Risk and Assurance programme and strengthen our governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks.

You’ll work at the heart of our security function - partnering with the Cyber Security Risk and Assurance Manager and contributing to the ongoing development of our governance, risk, and compliance capabilities across the organisation.

The ideal candidate can:

• Apply deep expertise in governance, risk management, and assurance, using ISO 27001, NIST 800‑53, GDPR, and DPA 2018 to strengthen organisational security.
• Identify, analyse, and mitigate cyber risks, giving stakeholders clear, actionable advice that enables well‑informed, auditable decisions.
• Engage and influence stakeholders, lead policy, compliance, and third‑party assurance activities, and drive the maturity of security frameworks and the ISMS.
• Contribute to security projects, build security awareness across the organisation, and support incident response to contain and resolve threats.

GDD Pay Supplement
This post is part of the Government Digital and Data (GDD) profession and currently attracts a £4,000 annual GDD pay supplement, which is paid monthly. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Independently undertake risk management activities within a given area of practice or expertise, usually within established security and risk management governance structures.
  
• Lead the analysis and derivation of business-supporting security needs, undertake Cyber Security related risk assessments, conduct tailored threat assessment and other risk management activities, and ensure activities are consistent with applicable regulations and legislation.
  
• Provide tailored advice to a range of stakeholders on how to remedy identified risks by proportionately applying security capabilities, using published guidance, standards, and drawing on a range of experts as well as personal expertise.
  
• Provide expert security advice that highlights Cyber Security related risks, so risk or service owners can make well-informed and auditable decisions.
  

Security Leadership & Governance

• Serve as a key point of contact for security advice and guidance.
• Lead security governance groups to promote and maintain strong security practices.
• Help maintain the organisation’s desired cyber security posture in line with its risk appetite.
• Provide leadership and guidance to a small team of security professionals to ensure high‑quality service delivery.
  

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and manage cyber threats and risks to protect organisational assets.
• Conduct compliance audits to ensure adherence to internal and external security requirements.
• Perform internal and external security assessments to evaluate controls and drive continuous improvement.
• Support teams in identifying vulnerabilities, conducting risk and impact assessments, and implementing protective actions.
  

Policies, Standards & ISMS

• Develop and maintain information security policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
• Provide guidance to support the effective adoption of security policies and standards.
• Support and enhance the organisation’s Information Security Management System (ISMS).
  

Third‑Party & Supplier Assurance

• Work with third parties to obtain independent assurance on the effectiveness of security controls.
• Oversee third‑party security by assessing supplier controls and ensuring compliance with organisational requirements.
  

Security Projects & Consultancy

• Lead the design, procurement, and implementation of security projects to strengthen the organisation’s security posture.
• Deliver specialist security consultancy to support successful project outcomes.
  

Awareness & Incident Response

• Contribute to the development and delivery of a security awareness programme that strengthens the organisation’s security culture.
• Support incident response activities to contain, investigate, and resolve security incidents.

Person specification

Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:

Experience

1. In-depth knowledge of information security standards like ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST SP 800-53, combined with understanding of current legislation such as DPA 2018 and GDPR. Proven ability to interpret and apply these standards and legal requirements to ensure compliance and integrate best practices into organisational operations.
   
2. Comprehensive understanding of internal and external information security risks, and proficiency in identifying, assessing, and implementing administrative, physical, and technical controls to mitigate these risks effectively.

Behaviours

• Leadership – Level 3
• Delivering at Pace – Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here

Technical / Professional Skills

This role is aligned to Lead Cyber Security Risk Manager within the Digital, Data and Technology Profession.

Please review the following to understand the skill expectations: Cyber Security Risk Manager - Cyber security: advisory - gov.scot

These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will not be assessed at application stage.

Benefits

Annual Leave - You will receive 25 days annual leave on joining us. This will increase to 30 days after four full years of service. You will also have 11.5 public and privilege days of leave every year. We also offer Flexi-time. Any extra hours you've worked can be taken as leave when suitable.

A Civil Service Pension - This job comes with a Civil Service pension. New joiners to the Civil Service will join a career average pension scheme as standard. Read more here - www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk.

Healthy work life balance - We can offer the possibility of full-time, part-time, term-time, and job shares. We also encourage flexible working.

Discounts - You can enjoy a vast range of retail, travel and lifestyle discounts through our benefit scheme.

Personal support for you - Our Employee Assistance Programme gives you confidential, independent information and guidance 24/7.

Volunteering special leave - Up to six days paid special leave a year for volunteering. We support our staff to help causes important to them.

Great locations - Our