Cybersecurity & IT
Roles defending digital infrastructure and supporting technology operations. One of the fastest-growing job markets in the UK.
Roles in this skill area
A Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst is responsible for the continuous monitoring, detection, and response to cybersecurity threats...
Estimated salary: £25,000–£40,000 (L1/L2, UK). L3 and senior SOC roles £40,000–£65,000+. MSSP roles often include shift allowances.
View role →A Junior Cybersecurity Analyst monitors an organisation's systems and networks for signs of intrusion, malware, or policy violations. Cor...
Estimated salary: £22,000–£35,000 (entry level, UK). Mid-level SOC Analyst £35,000–£50,000+.
View role →An IT Support professional provides technical assistance to end users and maintains the hardware, software, and network infrastructure an...
Estimated salary: £20,000–£32,000 (1st/2nd line, UK). 3rd line and senior roles £32,000–£50,000+.
View role →A Penetration Tester — often called an ethical hacker — is hired to attack an organisation's systems, networks, and applications before m...
Estimated salary: £30,000–£50,000 (junior to mid-level, UK). Senior and lead testers £55,000–£80,000+. Specialist red teamers and CREST-certified consultants in London can exceed £90,000. Day rates for contract testers range from £400–£800+.
View role →A Cloud Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains the security controls that protect an organisation's cloud infrastructure —...
Estimated salary: £35,000–£60,000 (junior to mid-level, UK). Senior cloud security engineers £65,000–£90,000+. Principal and architect-level roles in London financial services and tech frequently exceed £100,000. Contract day rates typically £500–£900.
View role →A GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) Analyst supports an organisation's framework for managing risk, meeting regulatory obligations,...
Estimated salary: £28,000–£45,000 (entry to mid-level, UK). Senior GRC Analysts £45,000–£65,000. GRC Managers and Heads of GRC £65,000–£95,000+. Technology sector and financial services GRC roles in London typically sit at the higher end of each band.
View role →
Cybersecurity & IT
SOC Analyst
A Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst is responsible for the continuous monitoring, detection, and response to cybersecurity threats across an organisation's infrastructure. Working within a SOC — which may operate 24/7 — analysts triage security alerts, investigate incidents, contain threats, and document findings. They work with SIEM platforms, endpoint detection tools, network monitoring systems, and threat intelligence feeds to identify and respond to attacks in real time. SOC Analysts are typically tiered (L1, L2, L3) by experience and responsibility. L1 analysts handle initial alert triage; L2 analysts conduct deeper investigation and correlation; L3 analysts lead complex incident response and may contribute to threat hunting. The role demands strong technical knowledge of networks, operating systems, and attacker techniques, as well as the ability to work calmly under pressure during active incidents.
Qualifications (summary)
CompTIA Security+ is a standard baseline requirement. CompTIA CySA+ is the most relevant mid-tier certification for SOC work. Microsoft SC-200 (Security Operations Analyst) is highly valued for Microsoft Sentinel environments. Splunk Core Certified User/Power User is useful for Splunk-based SOCs. GIAC GSOC and GIAC GCIA are respected advanced certifications. Practical experience on platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, or LetsDefend is increasingly cited by employers as meaningful evidence of capability.
Salary (if available)
£25,000–£40,000 (L1/L2, UK). L3 and senior SOC roles £40,000–£65,000+. MSSP roles often include shift allowances.
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