Job Purpose:
The Chief Information Security Officer will provide senior organisational leadership for
information, cyber, operational security and data protection across DBS, setting and
implementing a clear strategy that supports DBSs organisational strategy, safeguarding
mission, digital transformation priorities, statutory data protection duties and wider government
security expectations. The role will also act as DBSs Data Protection Officer, providing
independent advice, challenge and assurance on compliance with UK GDPR, the Data
Protection Act 2018, law enforcement processing requirements where applicable,
organisational data protection policies and ICO expectations. The role will be accountable for
the effective operation of security controls, monitoring, incident management, vulnerability
management, supplier security and operational security assurance across live services and
change activity. The role will evaluate DBSs current information and cyber security maturity,
define the level of maturity needed for a modern, resilient and digitally enabled safeguarding
organisation, and lead the practical plan to close that gap. The post holder will create the
environment, culture and operating model needed to protect DBS information, personal data,
technology and services, enabling innovation to happen safely, lawfully and securely while
ensuring DBS can prepare for, detect, respond to and recover from cyber attacks.
This is a senior leadership role, not a purely technical cyber post. The successful candidate will
be expected to understand risks across DBS, advise the Board, Executive Team, SIRO and
senior leaders on how to mitigate cyber, information and data protection risks in their areas and
future plans, and ensure the information security, cyber security and data protection aspects of
crisis management are effective. As Data Protection Officer, they must be involved in a timely
manner in issues relating to the protection of personal data, provide expert advice on data
protection obligations and DPIAs, monitor compliance, support awareness and training, and act
as a contact point for the Information Commissioners Office. They will translate complex cyber,
information risk, privacy and resilience issues into clear choices for executive decision-makers,
while building a capable, sustainable and accountable security and data protection function that
supports DBSs transition to modern digital services, a secure-by-design model and a stronger
Target Operating Model.
Corporate Duties:
Act as DBSs senior organisational leader for information security, cyber security,
operational security and data protection, setting direction and providing clear, evidence
based advice to the Executive Director of Technology and Innovation, Board, Executive
Team, Audit and Risk Committee, SIRO and senior risk owners.
Create, own and lead the DBS information, cyber and operational security strategy and
roadmap, ensuring it directly supports the organisations strategy, safeguarding mission,
digital transformation, live service resilience and wider government security strategy,
including Government Functional Standard GovS 007: Security, the Government Cyber
Security Standard, the Cyber Assessment Framework, GovAssure, Secure by Design
principles and relevant NCSC guidance.
Lead the organisation in implementing the information, cyber and operational security
strategy, turning strategic intent into clear priorities, funded delivery plans, measurable
outcomes, operational controls and mature security practices embedded across DBS.
Act as DBSs Data Protection Officer, operating with the independence, senior access,
expertise and resources required by data protection law, and providing advice, challenge
and assurance on UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, law enforcement processing
requirements where applicable and wider data protection obligations.
Shape a new cyber operating model for DBS, defining the right balance of in-house
capability, specialist consultancy, supplier support and managed services, with clear
accountabilities, decision rights and routes for increasing maturity over time.
Be accountable for operational security across DBS technology services, ensuring
effective security monitoring, protective controls, access management, vulnerability
management, threat intelligence, security operations, incident triage and remediation are
in place and operating effectively.
Build organisational confidence in cyber security by translating technical risk into plain
English, proportionate choices and practical action for executive, operational and
delivery audiences.
Advise the Board, Executive Team and senior leaders on organisational cyber and
information risk, helping them understand their accountabilities and make proportionate
decisions to mitigate risk in current operations, change programmes and future plans.
Advise the Board, Executive Team, SIRO, Information Asset Owners and senior leaders
on data protection risk, privacy by design, lawful processing, data sharing, retention,
data subject rights, personal data breaches and the implications of new services,
technology and operating models.
Promote a culture where secure behaviours, cyber awareness and good information
handling are understood as core responsibilities for everyone, not just the security
function.
Work as a senior member of the Technology and Innovation leadership team,
contributing to departmental strategy, prioritisation, culture, financial control, supplier
management and the successful delivery of DBSs technology ambitions.
Represent DBS with Home Office, Cabinet Office, Government Security, NCSC and
other external partners where required, ensuring DBS is aligned to relevant government
security policy, standards, assurance expectations and good practice.
Operational Delivery Duties
Evaluate the current status and maturity of DBS information and cyber security, using
recognised government and industry frameworks where appropriate, and define thepractical route to the level of maturity required for a modern, resilient and digitally
enabled safeguarding organisation.
Establish effective cyber governance, reporting and assurance, giving senior leaders a
clear view of risk, control effectiveness, investment choices, incidents, vulnerabilities and
supplier exposure.
Own and continually improve the operational security model for DBS, including security
operations, monitoring, alerting, incident triage, vulnerability management, patching
oversight, privileged access controls, protective monitoring, threat-led assurance and
supplier operational security performance.
Ensure DBS can demonstrate alignment with relevant government security requirements
and assurance routes, including GovS 007, the Government Cyber Security Standard,
CAF profiles, GovAssure, Secure by Design, NCSC guidance, the Technology Code of
Practice and applicable data protection and information assurance obligations.
Monitor DBS compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, applicable law
enforcement processing requirements, organisational data protection policies and ICO
expectations, ensuring responsibilities are clear, evidence is maintained and
improvement actions are tracked to completion.
Provide advice on Data Protection Impact Assessments, privacy by design, records of
processing activity, data sharing, data subject rights, retention, lawful basis, special
category data, criminal offence data and personal data breach management.
Act as the primary contact point for the Information Commissioners Office on data
protection matters and ensure DBS can evidence timely, well-governed handling of
regulatory engagement, personal data breaches and data protection assurance activity.
Work with service owners, product teams, architecture, suppliers and operational teams
to ensure security controls remain effective in live service, are monitored through clear
metrics, and are improved where risk, threat or operational performance requires it.
Determine the controls, capabilities, investment, skills, supplier arrangements and
behavioural changes needed to reach the target level of maturity and hold delivery
partners to account for progress.
Ensure DBS is prepared for cyber-attacks and can detect, respond to and recover from
incidents, with clear crisis arrangements, tested playbooks, escalation routes,
communication plans and links into wider business continuity, operational resilience and
crisis management arrangements.
Provide senior security leadership into major change and digital transformation,
including any major transformation of platforms, data, integration and service
modernisation activity.
Lead proportionate security assurance across new products, systems, services and
suppliers so that security is designed in early, risks are understood, decisions are
auditable and innovation can proceed safely rather than being slowed by late-stage
security intervention.
Develop cyber awareness, data protection awareness, information handling discipline
and good security behaviours across DBS, embedding practical guidance, learning and
leadership messages that make secure, lawful and responsible handling of information
part of everyday work.
Lead, develop and hold to account a multidisciplinary cyber function, including
permanent staff, contractors, consultants and suppliers, ensuring knowledge transfer
and growth of sustainable internal capability.
Management of Finances:
Be accountable for allocated information and cyber security budgets, ensuring value for
money, effective prioritisation and transparent investment decisions.
Provide clear recommendations on cyber investment, balancing risk reduction,
regulatory expectations, operational resilience, affordability and the pace of DBS
transformation.
