Lead Security Architect, Home Office Cyber Security (HOCS)

Are you ready to take the lead in protecting the digital infrastructure of one of the largest government departments? Step into a pivotal role where your expertise in cybersecurity can make a real difference.
As a Lead Cyber Security Architect at the Home Office, you will help safeguard critical public services relied on by millions. Working within an innovative and collaborative team, you will lead the design of secure, scalable systems that support vital national operations. This is a chance to influence strategy, guide senior stakeholders, and shape the future of digital security in government.
If you are a skilled communicator, a trusted mentor, and a forward-thinking architect with a passion for protecting what matters most, we would love to hear from you.
Due to business requirements this post is available on a full time/flexible working basis. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Applicants can raise any queries to the email address at the bottom of the advert.
We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from the widest diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We encourage applications from women, people with disabilities and LGBT+ as they are currently under-represented in the Home Office at this grade level. Appointments will be made on merit based on fair and open competition., As Lead Cybersecurity Architect, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of security across one or more portfolios worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
Your key responsibilities will include:
+ Defining Security Architecture Strategy: Lead the vision for secure architecture across a major portfolio, setting clear patterns and reusable templates aligned with the Principal Security Architect's strategy.
+ Driving High-Risk Project Success: Conduct thorough architecture reviews for high-risk projects, offering actionable recommendations and ensuring security risks are addressed at every stage.
+ Championing Proactive Risk Management: Take ownership of emerging threats and model risks using industry-standard frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, STRIDE), then translate these risks into clear, implementable solutions.
+ Ensuring Seamless Security Controls: Advise on security solutions for hybrid and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Kubernetes, serverless), balancing usability, cost, and compliance.
+ Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Provide coaching and guidance to SEO Security Architects, promoting a culture of continuous learning, development, and excellence within the team.
+ Building Relationships with Key Stakeholders: Engage with senior leaders across technology, policy, and operations to ensure security considerations are communicated effectively and drive consensus.
+ Leading Strategic Initiatives: Stay ahead of the curve by scanning the horizon for emerging threats, regulatory changes, and innovative tooling, and advising on their timely adoption., We use set SFIA technical skills to form our interview questions and we will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process.
The essential skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework (based on the industry standard SFIA framework- Use the SFIA Levels of responsibility to understand what would be expected for each technical skill listed). Please see below for the relevant skills for your role:
SFIA Technical skills:
Strategy & Architecture:
+ Strategy and Planning
o Strategic Planning (ITSP) - Level 3
o Solution Architecture (ARCH)- Level 5
o Innovation (INOV) - Level 3
o Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) - Level 3
+ Advice & Guidance
o Consultancy (CNSL) - Level 4
o Specialist Advice (TECH) - Level 4, As part of the application process, you will be required to submit both a Personal Statement (up to 1000 words) and a CV. Please note that both your CV and Personal Statement will be assessed as part of your application. It is important to ensure that both components are completed thoroughly.
Please note your personal statement should include all your relevant experience that relates to our essential skills criteria listed in the advert and role description. Use STAR format in your examples.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age or place of education) so that you will be judged on merit alone and not your personal background, circumstances, race or gender. (Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected).
Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. All applications are screened for plagiarism, copying, and generating of examples/ answers from internet sources including Artificial intelligence. If detected, the application may be withdrawn from the process.
Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving civil servants. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all civil servants.
Sift Stage
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement (1000 words) and CV. Please read the essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirements.
In the event of a high number of applications, an initial sift may be conducted on the CV.
Interview Stage
Candidates reaching the required standard will then be invited to attend a final interview. The interview will assess your Technical Skills using technical-based questions.
Candidates will also be required to prepare and deliver a 5-minute Presentation. Further details will be provided if invited to interview.
Sift and Interview dates

The sift will commence from 22/07/2025.

Interviews are expected to take place from 11/08/2025. (Subject to the Panel's operational requirements/priorities).
Interviews will be conducted remotely via MS Teams.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
Further information
Please read the essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement., The advertised role is part of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession. This role has access to a digital capability-based allowance. Applicants who are successful at interview will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment (CaSA) post-interview. Any allowance awarded will be based on the assessment of your capability against the six skills advertised for this role. Please see the Home Office Pay Framework Allowance Careers page for more information.
The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time.
For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance. New entrants to the Civil Service will start on the pay range minimum. For existing civil servants, our policies on level transfer and promotion will apply.
Working at the Home Office
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people can bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.
If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via HORecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
Complete the "Assistance Required" section in the "Additional Requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window)., If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission

We are looking for someone who is passionate about security architecture and has extensive experience in the field. Specifically, we are looking for:
+ Proven Leadership in Secure Architecture: You will have a track record of creating or validating secure architectures for large-scale, high-risk services using recognised frameworks such as SABSA, TOGAF, or NCSC.
+ Expert in Risk-Based Decision Making: You are highly skilled in assessing risk, articulating security controls, and selecting proportionate, cost-effective solutions (ISO 27001, NIST, CIS controls).
+ Technical Expertise: Hands-on knowledge of cloud security, IAM, container & API security, network segmentation, encryption, and DevSecOps toolchains. You can break down complex vulnerabilities and explain them to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
+ Effective Communicator: You can engage and influence senior stakeholders across the C-suite and delivery teams, adapting your style to ensure security is understood in business terms.
+ Mentorship and Governance: Experience mentoring security architects/engineers and leading architecture review boards or design assurance activities.
+ A Collaborative Team Player: You thrive in an environment where you work closely with a diverse group of professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and growth.
SFIA capability framework
Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) is the technical framework that sets the standard capability and development of all levels in the Home Office. This is a link to the capability framework: All skills A - Z English (sfia-online.org), It is essential to have one of the following ; CISA, CISSP, CISM, or CIA.

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Strategic Planning (ITSP) - Level 3
+ Solution Architecture (ARCH)- Level 5
+ Innovation (INOV) - Level 3
+ Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) - Level 3
+ Consultancy (CNSL) - Level 4
+ Specialist Advice (TECH) - Level 4, For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder listed in the advert for further advice., Please note that this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance, which would normally need 5 years' UK residency in the past 5 years.
However, in exceptional circumstances security clearance applications for candidates who have been present in the UK for at least 3 of last 5 years may be considered. Failure to meet this residency requirement will result in your security clearance application being rejected., We are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas as we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License.

£60,300 - £66,330
New entrants to the Civil Service will start their role on the salary band minimum: £60,300 for National Roles.
You may be eligible for an additional non-pensionable allowance, pending a Capability and Skills assessment, with a value of up to £20,100.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP, Alongside your salary of £60,300, Home Office contributes £17,468 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Why work for us...
+ A highly competitive pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
+ 25 days annual leave on appointment rising 1 day per year up to 30 days, plus 8 days public holidays and 1 day for the King's Birthday.
+ Flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that is right for you including; Full time, part-time, flexi time, compressed hours and job sharing.
+ A hybrid working model of a minimum 60% of your contracted hours in the workplace and 40% remote.
+ A capability allowance reviewed annually.
+ Training and development opportunities tailored to your role, including access to technical and professional accreditations.
+ Access to funded qualifications (subject to approval)
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
+ Enhanced parental leave schemes.
+ Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards.
This link is to a short guide to employee benefits: Benefits - Home Office Careers