Head of Security Incident and Response

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Digital, Data, Technology and Security (DDTS) is the trusted team for digital across the entire Defra Group.

We have around 1000 colleagues across DDTS and our ambition is to make it easier and faster than ever for people to interact with Defra. If you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you. Join us and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all.

Find out more about DDTS:

Defra digital, data and technology blog

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Defra Jobs

Head of Security Incident and Response

Company: Government Recruitment Service Salary: £56,375 - £69,105 Hours: Full-time Location: Reading Job type: Permanent Posting date: 6 Aug 2026 Closing date: 19 Aug 2026

Summary

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Digital, Data, Technology and Security (DDTS) is the trusted team for digital across the entire Defra Group.

We have around 1000 colleagues across DDTS and our ambition is to make it easier and faster than ever for people to interact with Defra. If you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you. Join us and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all.

Find out more about DDTS:

Defra digital, data and technology blog

LinkedIn

Defra Jobs

The Head of Security Incident and Response provides operational leadership of the Defra Group Security Incident Response Management (SIRM) capability, ensuring the organisation is prepared for, and able to respond effectively to, security incidents ranging from routine events to significant security incidents.

As the senior lead for security incident management, the role oversees incident response policy, governance and operational coordination, directs the response to complex and high-impact incidents, and provides authoritative advice and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Operating across the Defra Group, the postholder ensures a consistent, risk-based approach to incident management, protecting organisational assets, maintaining stakeholder confidence, and supporting the resilience of critical services and business operations.

The role leads the Defra Group's approach to security investigations, including unauthorised disclosure cases, ensuring robust governance, effective investigative oversight, and informed decision making by senior stakeholders

Please note for this role you will require SC Clearance. To gain SC clearance all applicants are required to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 5 years. If this requirement is not met, the individual will not be able to progress their application further.

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