UK Ministry of Defence
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer
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MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB
Please note there will be regular travel to other sites, approximately 2–4 times per month, in addition to attendance at the MOD Main Building.
Job Summary
The MOD's digital teams ensure we remain among the most technologically advanced Armed Forces in the world. We develop and lead in cutting-edge data science, automation, and cybersecurity solutions to protect the UK and its interests, at home and abroad. Our mission also goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving innovation that impacts lives across the globe.
Watch our video to see what we do!
37 Hours Weekly.
Job Description
This role places cyber security at the heart of UK Defence. This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior cyber leadership role with real national impact. You’ll shape and lead cyber risk strategy for key digital capabilities, influencing outcomes across Defence while focusing on delivery within your specific remit. Working at the centre of decision-making, you’ll engage senior leaders, embed secure-by-design principles, and strengthen the resilience of systems that support the UK’s security today and into the future.
Working under the National Armaments Digital & Data Chief Information Security Officer (NAD D&D CISO) mandate, you’ll drive accountability for secure capability delivery in support of the Defence Cyber Resilience Strategy. This is a high-impact role where you’ll shape cyber direction, influence senior leaders, and manage risk across a complex organisation, acting as a trusted advisor to enable innovation while strengthening resilience and cyber culture.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Set and lead cyber risk strategy across a complex digital environment, driving secure-by-design across programmes and services.
- Establish and embed effective governance, risk and compliance frameworks, ensuring alignment with Defence policy and evolving threats.
- Provide assurance on audit, compliance and reporting, while ensuring consistent application of core security principles.
- Use data and tooling to strengthen cyber insight and assess risk across NAD D&D capabilities, informing the wider Defence picture.
- Act as a key cyber security lead within the wider Defence community, influencing stakeholders and building strong partnerships.
- Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing cyber workforce, promoting a strong security culture across the organisation.
You’ll lead cyber incident response and risk management, ensuring effective oversight of high-risk systems and driving continuous improvement in mitigation and resilience. The role is responsible for holding delivery programmes to account for the development, testing, and maintenance of robust incident response plans, working closely with Defence incident reporting teams. It plays a key part in strengthening organisational readiness by assuring, challenging, and enhancing response capabilities across NAD-D&D.
More information on the role can be found on The Government Security Profession Career Framework: Government Security Profession career framework.
Person Specification
We’re seeking a confident, credible cyber leader with a proven track record of strengthening security in complex, high-stakes environments. You’ll bring deep experience in Cyber and Information Security, with the ability to design and embed effective risk management frameworks that drive continuous improvement. You’ll excel at engaging and influencing senior audiences, translating complex technical risks into clear, actionable business insight, and shaping strategic decisions on risk posture, investment and compliance. You’ll champion a positive cyber culture, helping the organisation meet its obligations while delivering a secure, high-quality service.
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With strong analytical thinking and sound judgement, you’ll bring clarity to risk, set direction and drive plans through to impact. You’ll also lead responses to incidents, audits and remediation activity, ensuring robust plans are in place and effectively delivered.
When submitting your CV, please highlight your career history and experience relevant to this role. Additionally, refer to the "Things You Need to Know" section of the advert and provide a personal statement (max. 1250 words) demonstrating the essential criteria listed below:
- Describe your experience of managing cyber security governance, risk and compliance aspects within an organisation.
- Provide an example of when you have managed a Cyber Security incident, the approach used and the outcome.
- Describe your experience of leading, managing and developing a team and of resources not owned by the organisation.
Want to learn more?
Join our Candidate Brief
Get a real insight into the role by joining an informal session with senior members of the team, where they will share what we’re looking for and give you the opportunity to ask questions. The session will take place on the date listed below and to register, please email ukstratcomdd-hr-talentacqdel@mod.gov.uk with the CSJ reference number, your name and email address, and we’ll send you a Microsoft Teams invite.
27/07/26 at 5pm
Please Note:
- This role is open to UK sole nationals only.
- Developed Vetting (DV) clearance is required. If you do not already hold this, you will need to obtain it if appointed to the role.
- There will be regular travel to other sites (approximately 2–4 times per month), in addition to attendance at the MOD Main Building.
- At the time you will be assessed under the relevant criteria to ensure you meet the Digital Skills Allowance eligibility. Allowance values are determined by capability level and your substantive grade: Level 1 (Developing) £6,000, Level 2 (Proficient) £12,000 and Level 3 (Accomplished) £18,000. London locations may attract an allowance of up to £3,300 per annum.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical Skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Information Risk Assessment and Risk Management
- Applied Security Capability
- Protective Security
- Threat Understanding
Alongside your salary of £72,840, Ministry of Defence contributes £21,101 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).
Flexible working options - we understand the importance of adapting work to your life.
Inclusion and diversity - our culture celebrates uniqueness and encourages collaboration of diverse thought.
Generous annual leave - starting with 25 days and growing to 30 after just 5 years.
Pension contribution: 28.97%
Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to volunteer for military or emergency service reserve commitments.
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Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club and Gyms.
You can read more here: Civil Service Employee Benefits, Civil Service Careers
Professional Framework Statement
NA-D&D operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. NA-D&D reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing. Within NA D&D each profession is led by a Professional Head of Community who will lead professional development and support the Continuous Professional Development path for their group.
Learning & Development
We have a strong learning and development ethos, supporting you to fulfil your potential by providing:
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- Professional skills development
- Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning
- Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by MOD
Hybrid Working
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. Some roles will involve regular travel within the UK to various Defence and partner sites. In addition, certain positions will require office attendance at least 3 days per week. Please note that there will be regular travel to other sites (approximately 2–4 times per month), in addition to attendance at the MOD Main Building.
Defence is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Defence Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with personnel and Trade Unions.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject
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