The standard selection process for roles at DSIT consists of:
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a simple application screening process - We only ask for you to submit a CV. Your CV will be assessed against the following criteria -
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significant experience leading the response to cyber and/or digital resilience incidents within large, complex organisations, or at a sectoral or national level
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significant experience building and embedding incident response capabilities within large, complex organisations or at a sectoral or national level, for example, incident response planning and documentation, incident exercising, crisis simulation, post-incident reviews, and lessons management
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A 20 minute phone screen
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a 60 minute video interview
In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is: significant experience leading the response to cyber and/or digital resilience incidents within large, complex organisations, or at a sectoral or national level
In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. Well be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.
For this role well be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:
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Leadership
- Delivering at pace
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Making effective decisions
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Communicating and influencing
Well also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Cyber Framework for the Incident Response - Principal role:
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Incident management, incident investigation and response - Expert
- Intrusion detection and analysis Expert
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Threat intelligence and threat assessment - Practitioner
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Applied security capability - Working
Recruitment Timeline
Sift completion: Week Commencing 24th August 2026
Phone Screens: Starting from 1st September 2026
Panel interviews: Starting from 8th September 2026
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
Sponsorship
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Security
Please note, this role requires Developed Vetting level of clearance (DV).
DV is required when an individual has long term, frequent and uncontrolled access to Top Secret (Information that could directly threaten the national security of the UK, cause long-term damage to our economy or lead to widespread loss of life) information.
To gain DV clearance an applicant will normally need to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 10 years. There are several stages to the vetting process which usually takes 6 month +:-
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SC Level Clearance
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Completion of a DV supplementary questionnaire
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Completion of a financial questionnaire
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A review of the candidates personal finances
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A medical and psychological assessment
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Interviews with the candidates referees
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A detailed interview with the candidate
More information on DV clearance is linked here
Nationality Requirements - Further Information for Candidates
1. This post is classed as Reserved as per Civil Service Nationality RulesSection 3. In accordance with these rules, only UK nationals may be employed in reserved posts in the Civil Service1 (Paragraph. 3.1).
UK National Definition
2. The definition of a UK National can be found at Paragraphs. 1.4-1.8 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Dual Nationals
3. As per Paragraph. 1.41 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:
4. Candidates with dual nationality are in principle eligible for employment in the Civil Service provided that they meet the requirements in relation to one of their nationalities [i.e. UK National]. They may not be eligible, however, for employment in certain reserved posts where additional nationality requirements are imposed.
Additional Restrictions for Reserved Posts
5. As per Paragraphs. 3.10-3.11 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:
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departments and agencies are entitled to impose additional requirements in reserved posts if this is considered necessary. This could include, for example, requirements as to the residency of the applicant or the nationality of one or both parents of the applicant.
7. If you are a Dual National who possesses UK Nationality and wish to check your eligibility for the post, please contact our recruiting team at the details below. Please be advised that we will not be able to provide a justification for our decision for security reasons.
8. Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens are also eligible for employment in reserved posts if they were in the Civil Service at 31 May 1996 or before, or were appointed from a recruitment scheme with a closing date for receipt of applications before 1 June 1996. (Paragraph. 3.1)
Please note offers of employment are subject to achieving satisfactory pre-employment and security checks. These include an Occupational Health Assessment and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). As part of this you will need to confirm your identity, employment/education history, nationality and any criminal record (unspent convictions only).
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
