Information Security Officer (Headquarters, Chelmsford)

Location of Role: Chelmsford

Advert Closing Date: 04/01/2026

Starting Salary: 49716.00(pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time:Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Mon-Fri

Weekend/Evening Working: No

Join Essex Police as the Forces Information Security Officer in this specialist role you will play a vital part in protecting the Forces data and technology. Were looking for a proactive professional who can confidently manage information security risks and shape secure solutions that keep our systems this role youll provide expert guidance on the design implementation and operation of security controls across all aspects of our information systems. Youll lead by example oversee security accreditation processes and share your knowledge through training and support. If youre passionate about safeguarding information and influencing best practice this is your opportunity to make a real impact in a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation.

Core Purpose:

• To protect sensitive police information and systems and to provide authoritative security direction advice and guidance to the Senior Information Risk owner (SIRO) senior command leads and Information Asset Owners.
• Ensure compliance with legislation national standards (e.g. ISO27001 NIST) and force policies.
• Maintain confidentiality integrity and availability of data. You will develop security policies standards and guidelines appropriate to business operations technology national compliance and legal requirements. Ensure that activities remain current against professional national and industry standards with respect to evolving Cyber threats.
• Conduct regular audit reviews for the full range of information security control types and techniques for the purpose of good Information security assurance highlighting areas of concern and potential risk. Produce documentation report and provide presentations to senior business leads and where necessary include recommendations for appropriate mitigation action to reduce the impact of breach of security for identified risk. To attend Gold Group meetings to provide expertise and advice in the event of a significant incident.

Key Responsibilities:

• Risk management Identify assess and mitigate information security risks.
• Policy & Governance Develop maintain and enforce security policies and procedures.
• Accreditation & Compliance Oversee accreditation of systems including national systems and ensure change is identified and reassurance and audit completed.
• Security breaches Manage response identify patterns of behaviour and risk. Report and implement corrective actions.
• Advice & Consultancy Provide expert guidance to senior leaders projects and staff.
• Monitoring & reporting Track security measures produce reports and escalate risk when needed.
• Collaboration work with IT teams other police forces and national bodies attend boards and working groups.

Essential Skills & Knowledge:

• Knowledge of emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
• Demonstrate resilience good time management skills workload scheduling and ability to work independently and as a part of the team with the ability to inspire and lead the team.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with secure system design and accreditation processes.

Essential criteria:

• Educated to degree standard or can evidence equivalent experience.
• 5 years of working within Information Security environment with Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (or equivalent) qualification.

• Knowledge of access control systems security processes and frameworks (ISO27001NIST) government policies and procedure legislation in Information Security.
• High understanding and knowledge of system accreditation and auditing frameworks.

Desirable Extras:

• Good understanding of privacy requirements and other relevant legislation and regulations.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 security tools and automation (e.g. Power Automate Copilot).
• Awareness of AI-driven security solutions.
• Project management and strategic planning capabilities.

For further information contact Data Assurance and Design Lead - Kerry Nicholson who may be contacted initially via email: or Laura Robbins Head of Information Strategy and Assurance

For the full job description please click here.

Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the reason for application question within the application form itself. CVs covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your reason for application answer please refer to any experience skills and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria however please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters. This count may differ from the Microsoft Word word count function therefore you may wish to use a different online character counter to check the characters used.

Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age disability gender reassignment marriage or civil partnership status pregnancy or maternity race religion or belief sexual orientation sex or employment status.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process or for further information regarding this position please email us at stating Application Support and Adjustments in the title of your email. Alternatively you can call us on . Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If youre not from the UK you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If youre from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesnt apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

As a Disability Confident Leader we:

• Have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation.
• Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

Diversity Equality and Inclusionare central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks DE&I team and wider HR departments we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.