What are the most popular cyber security jobs in London?

London is a global business hub for many of the world’s top organisations. Among these, most companies have by now digitised their services, which opens a new type of threat: The risk of cyber attacks from malicious criminals looking to infiltrate systems and steal sensitive information.

The need for talented cyber security professionals across the globe is great, but in London, a city home to so many organisations, these experts are extremely sought after by firms looking to bolster their defences.

This ever-growing need is highlighted by the volume of cyber crime taking place in the UK. The government’s latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey reported that 39 per cent of businesses in the country suffered from an attack in 2022.

Within the cyber security industry, the requirement for talented professionals far exceeds the number of experts available. Consequently, those with the right skills and experience are well-placed to benefit from greater opportunities, as organisations compete to fill vacant positions.

If you are interested in pursuing a cyber security job in London, here are some of the top roles to look out for.

 

Penetration tester

A penetration tester - or pen tester for short - puts themself in the shoes of a malicious hacker and legally attempts to infiltrate organisations’ systems to access confidential information. This role is vital for visualising security weaknesses and provides insight into where teams need to bolster their defence measures.

 

SOC analyst

A security operations centre (SOC) analyst is an integral component of a company’s cyber security provision. Situated on the front line of a firm’s defence, these professionals will analyse threats, test disaster recovery plans and investigate reports of issues.

Most SOC analysts spend the majority of their time working with specialised platforms that provide a wide range of technologies to help protect systems, which include digital forensics tools and threat-hunting features.

 

Identity and access manager

Identity and access management (IAM) involves a system of processes, tools and policies that facilitate the organisation of digital identities. This allows organisations to track user privileges and even automate tasks to do so.

A rapidly growing field, IAM offers plenty of variety in roles. Generally, a professional in this area will be responsible for managing user account permissions, monitoring activity logs and developing training resources for wider teams.

 

Security architect

When a firm develops a new network, a security architect oversees the build and selects appropriate defence measures. Therefore, this role is vital to any growing business. Without a highly skilled architect, organisations could end up launching networks that are vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Due to the nature of the job, security architects are required to keep up to date with the latest developments and changing technologies. Additionally, they will manage employee privileges, conduct reviews of external tools and direct training initiatives.

 

Digital forensics analyst

A digital forensics analyst sits mainly within an organisation’s incident response team. Often, they will be tasked with gathering evidence and scrutinising data related to any anomalous or suspicious activity in the firm’s systems.

This is a career path well-suited to curious individuals who like getting stuck in the smaller details. Forensics specialists are particularly high in demand from large organisations, whilst there’s also an opportunity to work with law enforcement agencies including the police and the National Crime Agency, for example.

To find your next cyber security job in London, simply click here and take a look at our range of current vacancies.