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Working in Security
We work to keep the nation and its people safe. What we do helps to protect citizens' data, the national infrastructure, and considerable sums of money for public sector finance.
Keeping the nation and our people safe
New technologies and methods for delivering public services have brought incredible gains in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, but they also bring new vulnerabilities. No longer the stuff of spy thrillers, cyber attacks are a now daily reality.
In the public sector we face a range of challenges: organised crime, hacktivists, terrorists, foreign intelligence services and rogue individuals (both internal and external). These attacks cause economic damage, erode public trust in online services and do real harm to our citizens, their property and their privacy.
The government holds huge quantities of sensitive data and money, enabling it to provide services relied on by millions of citizens and thousands of businesses up and down the country. The confidentiality and integrity of our systems is critical to the delivery of secure and reliable public services.
Within the Civil Service, the Government Security Profession supports security by ensuring we have the best people, with the right skills in the right jobs. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain skilled and motivated staff who are capable of dealing with the increasing security threats in an ever-changing landscape.
Cyber Security Apprenticeships
Within the Civil Service, the Government Security Profession supports cyber security by ensuring we have a strong talent pipeline for the future. A key part of this is the level 4 Cyber Security Technologist Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship lasts two years and combines on-the-job training with structured learning.
Our training has a blended approach; using virtual environments, webinars, face-to-face mentoring and classroom activity. Topics covered include modules on: networking principles, cryptography and encryption, information security management (ISO27001), and malware analysis. As an apprentice you have the opportunity to get involved in a variety of areas in your day-to-day work including: incident management; phishing and threat intelligence and risk assessment. Learn more about our apprenticeships here.
Cyber Security Analyst, the title itself enticed me. Not only am I pushing myself, this experience is like no other, I am given opportunities I didn't know existed. It's given me the confidence and realisation that I can, and I will, do things I didn't think I could.
Charlotte RCyber Security Apprentice, NHS Digital
Secure in skills, secure in practice
Security is a crucial consideration in all aspects of government work. This means that as a security professional you will have the opportunity to work alongside colleagues from a variety of different departments, professions and agencies. In fact, there are around 5,000 security professionals working in over 40 different departments and agencies across government.
Our professionals specialise in a number of security disciplines, including: personnel security, physical security, cyber security, and business continuity. We want to ensure that we have the most knowledgeable people working within our profession and therefore we continue to support you in building your expertise throughout your career with us. The profession is developing a framework of security roles to showcase the options for building a career within government security. It assists security professionals in identifying their learning needs and provides a structured approach to learning and development.
business continuity mangers
crypto-custodians
cyber operations staff
physical security designers
physical security risk advisers
security architects
vetting officers
Introducing young tech enthusiasts to the world of cyber security
A programme of opportunities developed by GCHQ and designed to give talented young people the support, skills, experience and exposure they need to become the cyberists of the future. The programme includes the CyberFirst girls competition, bursaries and apprenticeships.
Cyber Apprenticeships
The Government Cyber Security Apprenticeships scheme has now closed for 2019. We will be open for applications again in spring 2020.
Government security vacancies
We recruit security professionals for about 40 different government departments across the country. All vacancies advertised externally can be found on the Civil Service Jobs website and new vacancies are added daily. Please search on "Security".
Email: civilservicecareers@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
70 Whitehall London SW1A 2AS