Head of Security Operations

Job Description

We're now recruiting a Head of Security Operations to support the Chief Information Security Officer in managing and reporting the Information Security Risks faced by Technology Services (TS) in delivering AJ Bell’s systems and services. Key to this is maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the data that resides upon those systems. The Head of Security Operations is responsible for ensuring alignment between AJ Bell’s business goals and our ability to proactively identify and respond to security incidents, underpinned by an ability to translate cyber risk in to business risk and vice versa.

This role will be responsible for the leadership and management of the team delivering ongoing proactive cyber defence and response to security threats targeting AJ Bell systems and information. The Security Operations Team is the first point of contact for security queries, as such the role holder is expected to be a leader in developing a security first culture providing effective guidance to staff at all levels.

• Ensuring AJ Bell has the appropriate capability to detect and respond to security events and incidents.
• In partnership with the 3rd party managed service provider, ensure that AJ Bell maintains 24x7 operational security coverage.
• Proactively drive efficiency improvements via the use of automation and AI in security operations processes.
• Own and develop AJ Bell’s incident response framework and playbooks, including undertaking regular training and testing (including table top exercises) up to and including executive level.
• Develop and maintain AJ Bell’s threat intelligence capabilities to enable effective response to the evolving threat landscape, delivering and disseminating actionable intelligence to operations teams and key stakeholders.
• Ensure operational processes for managing AJ Bell’s supply chain risk are effective.
• Own the end-to-end vulnerability management process, including penetration testing, mitigation assessment and remediation tracking.
• Effectively communicate the security posture of AJ Bell with the development and delivery of regular MI and reporting, where gaps are identified work with the security engineering team to provide clear requirements for security solutions.
• Manage the operational security vendor relationships, overseeing regular performance reviews and commercial management.
• Manage and oversee the development of a team of security analysts responsible for maintaining BaU security operations and act as an escalation point for day-to-day security issues identified by colleagues.
• Identify the future needs of the business with respect to the security operations function and develop AJ Bell’s capability accordingly.
• Foster an environment of continuous improvement to grow and develop AJ Bell’s security capability by establishing repeatable, managed and measured processes.

• Expert understanding and knowledge of Information Security risk management tools and techniques
• Extensive experience of Information Security standards and frameworks
• Awareness and understanding of the Information Security threat landscape
• Knowledge of security investigations best practice including the use of Microsoft Purview and computer forensics an advantage.
• Experience of utilising and monitoring Information Security solutions e.g. email / web gateways, SIEM, Endpoint protection etc.
• Strong awareness of Cloud services and supporting security solutions & standards.
• Good understanding of cloud native and devops practices including pipelines and associated processes
• Hands on experience of managing and configuring systems including Microsoft Active Directory, Windows and Linux in an enterprise environment is highly advantageous
• Hands on experience with internet proxies, end point security tools and data loss prevention systems also highly advantageous
• Experience working within recognised Information Security frameworks and best practices such as ISO
  27001, NIST etc.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements (e.g. GDPR / FCA / PRA)
• Experience in an Information Security role gained in a financial services or e-commerce environment is preferred
• Strong written…