Information Security & SOC Consultant (Hiring Immediately)

Information Security & SOC Consultant
Based : Field-based, predominantly in the London area
Type : Full-time
Salary : £70-80k
Eligibility : You must be eligible to work in the UK

About the Role

As the Smartdesc Information Security Consultant, you will be working with the Information Security team and technical delivery team to deliver security solutions to our customers.

You will work with Smartdesc customers providing strategic Information Security guidance, support and roadmaps, driving continuous improvement in their security posture. This will include identifying and overseeing a variety of security projects, including helping our customers to implement security controls, assessing against industry good practice, creating assessment reports to deliver to Senior Leadership Teams and improving organisations security position.

The role offers a wide range of work, from strategic Information Security governance and risk management to guiding our non-profit customers to get best value from the Microsoft Business Premium, E3 and E5 security offerings. You will also need to be confident presenting security information at all levels, from part time volunteers to boards.

This role will be customer facing requiring a keen eye for detail and proven ability of delivering Information Security good practice.

You will be responsible for:

• Identifying steps that organisations need to take to improve their security position and creating roadmaps for continuous improvement, often maximising the use of existing Microsoft licensing and supporting them through the process.

• Alignment of good practice frameworks and standards such as Cyber Essentials, NCSC CAF and ISO 27001.

• Ownership or oversight of key Information Security processes and procedures.

• Ownership of the Smartdesc MDR management service.

• Implementation and ownership of Information Security Risk Management programmes.

• Identifying and managing remediation actions to reduce risks.

• Ownership or oversight of Information Security Policies.

• Development and Implementation of general and role/function specific Information Security Training and Awareness programmes.

• Raising, investigating and managing or supporting IT Security incidents ensuring any necessary follow up actions.

• Providing IT security support to business functions including digital teams, IT infrastructure and IT Service Desk.

• Development and ownership of the Information Security Internal Audit programmes.

• Oversight of rolling programmes of security tests, reviews and audits.

• Writing Information Security reports and delivering the findings to key stakeholders.

Key Skills: 

• Knowledge and experience with technology, security and DP related compliance, legal & regulatory frameworks and standards, including Cyber Essentials, ISO27001, PCI DSS, OWASP, GDPR etc.

• Knowledge and experience of the Microsoft stack. Purview experience is beneficial.

• Ability to demonstrate expert knowledge and understanding of information security good practice.

• Experience in working with technical and non-technical business personnel at various levels, articulating security risks in a manner appropriate to the stakeholders.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Knowledge of Information Security principles and concepts and knowledge of technical security controls.

• Previous consulting experience to SMEs, non-profits or educational settings would be preferred.

• A positive can-do attitude and a self-starter who can work under their own initiative.

• Information Security certifications such as CISSP or CISM are beneficial as are Microsoft certifications especially from the SC series such as the SC-400/401.

Why Academia?

At Academia, we are redefining the landscape of IT services across education, business, public sector and nonprofit sectors. As an innovative and rapidly expanding technology company, we’re not just a supplier—we’re a trusted partner to thousands of clients nationwide.

With over 20 years of expertise, double-digit growth, a team of 300+ professionals and revenues exceeding £150 million in FY26, we’ve earned a reputation as a top-tier IT solutions provider. Our dedication has been recognised with prestigious industry accolades, including the coveted CRN Reseller of the Year award.

Our ethos is simple: by delivering outstanding technology and ensuring it works seamlessly, we empower our clients to maximise their]]> <