Security Advisor - Industrial Control Systems

Job summary

In this role, you will serve as the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Advisor for Dstl’s National Biosecurity Centre, a publicly acknowledged and high-profile programme; You will be accountable and lead the strategic direction for the Cyber Security strategy, managing both internal and external stakeholder relationships appropriately to ensure that Dstl delivers the best possible solutions to meet a range of challenging requirements.

Although based in the Digital group, you will interact as part of interdisciplinary teams providing security advice with regard to the design, implementation and future maintenance of ICS systems. Able to challenge when necessary and constructively, you will be a focal point within the team and liaise closely with external teams in safety, estates and security.

More widely, you will work with others in cyber security supporting ICS assurance, driving innovation in delivery of associated services and shaping the organisations approach to future provision of these systems such that they are robust, resilient and reliable into the future.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

In this role you will lead and own the cyber security strategy for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) associated with new facilities and capabilities, ensuring they are secure, resilient, compliant with relevant standards, and enable critical business operations across Dstl.

You will provide strategic leadership and authoritative advice to senior stakeholders, influencing decisions, shaping policy, and driving the effective management of cyber security risks associated with critical operational technology and ICS environments.

For more information on the job responsibilities, please see the job profile attached below.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has an expertise in how ICS works as part of wider protective security to ensure safety. You will have a strong understanding of a range of security threats and how these impact ICS safety.

You will have a proven track record of applying pragmatic solutions to complex abstract concepts and issues.

For more information on the essential criteria, please see the job profile attached below.

Important Information:

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats.

For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require Develop Vetting and you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Qualifications

Essential:
Appropriate risk management qualification, or equivalent experience, ideally using Bowtie

Or as a minimum, an assurance-based qualification. For example, but not exclusively: NCSC Certified Cyber Professional (CCP); Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC); Assurance Practitioner qualifications; Certified Functional Safety Professional (CFSP); Bowtie XP Foundation or Bowtie XP Advanced Practitioner.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £60,448, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £17,511 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

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 and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team [email removed] and we will do all we can to support you.

At the application stage, we will assess your submitted application against the essential criteria set out in the job profile.

Sifting will take place week commencing 19th October 2026 with interviews to held face to face at Dstl Porton Down from 9th November 2026

Your interview will consist of behav