Cyber Security Specialist Job Description: Role, Duties and Requirements

A Cyber Security Specialist protects information assets, detects and responds to incidents, and supports secure design and operation across an organisation. This role is suitable for candidates with solid technical grounding in IT security, analytical mindset, and experience implementing controls, conducting risk assessments and advising stakeholders on security best practice.

Cyber Security Specialist Job Profile

The Cyber Security Specialist is responsible for maintaining and improving the security posture of information systems and networks. The role focuses on identifying vulnerabilities, responding to security incidents, implementing preventative controls and ensuring compliance with relevant organisational policies and regulatory requirements.

The postholder will work closely with IT, application owners, and business teams to integrate security into projects and operational activities. They will provide technical guidance, produce clear risk assessments and contribute to continuous improvement of security processes and documentation.

Cyber Security Specialist Job Description

The Cyber Security Specialist monitors security events, investigates anomalies and co-ordinates incident response activities to contain and remediate security breaches. They perform regular vulnerability assessments and support remediation efforts with prioritised recommendations based on risk. The specialist will maintain logging and reporting mechanisms to ensure visibility of threats and trends.

In addition to reactive duties, the role includes proactive work such as participating in security architecture reviews for new systems and changes, advising on secure configuration and access controls, and supporting security testing and assurance activities. The specialist contributes to policy development, audit readiness and training initiatives to raise security awareness across the organisation.

Cyber Security Specialist: Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor security alerts and event logs, perform triage and escalate incidents according to defined procedures
• Lead and support incident response activities including containment, eradication and post-incident review
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and coordinate remediation with system owners
• Perform risk assessments for systems, applications and third-party services and provide mitigation advice
• Carry out security configuration reviews and recommend secure baseline settings for infrastructure and applications
• Manage identity and access controls, including privileged access reviews and access provisioning checks
• Support security testing activities and participate in controlled penetration testing or red team exercises where required
• Develop and maintain incident response playbooks, runbooks and security operation procedures
• Produce regular security reports and metrics for technical teams and senior stakeholders
• Assist with audit activities and evidence collection for compliance with organisational and regulatory requirements
• Advise project teams on secure design and perform security reviews for new services and change requests
• Maintain security-related documentation and contribute to knowledge sharing and training for staff
• Assess and manage risks related to third-party suppliers and support supplier security assurance activities
• Investigate suspected data breaches and support the fulfilment of notification and reporting obligations where applicable

Cyber Security Specialist: Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• Minimum of three years' experience in information security, IT security or a related technical role
• Relevant professional certification such as CISSP, CISM or equivalent is desirable
• Practical experience with vulnerability management, incident response and security monitoring
• Understanding of networking concepts, operating systems and common security controls
• Familiarity with security standards and frameworks such as ISO 27001 or NIST and data protection principles
• Ability to perform risk assessments and translate technical risks into business impact and mitigation measures
• Good analytical and problem solving skills with attention to detail
• Effective verbal and written communication skills suitable for technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience producing clear security documentation and incident reports
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and manage multiple priorities in a time-sensitive environment
• Awareness of legal and regulatory obligations relevant to information security and data protection
• Willingness to engage in continuous professional development and keep up to date with evolving threats