Head of Cyber Assurance

Barclays Seeks Visionary Head of Cyber Assurance to Shape Enterprise-Wide Security Posture

Barclays is actively seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Cyber Assurance to join its Chief Information Security Office (CISO) as a cornerstone of the Cyber Posture and Assurance function. This pivotal leadership role carries enterprise-wide responsibility for defining, implementing, and continuously evolving the bank's cyber assurance testing strategy. The Head of Cyber Assurance will be instrumental in ensuring that all identified security findings are addressed comprehensively and holistically across the entire organization.

Key Advantages for Potential Candidates:

• Strategic Impact: This position offers a unique opportunity to directly influence and shape the cybersecurity strategy of a leading global financial institution. You will be at the forefront of developing and executing robust testing frameworks designed to counter emerging threats and meet stringent regulatory standards.
• Leadership and Team Development: You will lead a team of highly skilled Cyber Assurance Subject Matter Experts, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. This includes nurturing talent and guiding less experienced specialists, aligning with Barclays' commitment to developing its people.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role demands extensive collaboration with key stakeholders across Technology, Operational Risk, Internal Audit, and senior security leadership. This provides invaluable exposure and the chance to build influential partnerships that drive a pervasive security assurance culture.
• Threat Intelligence Integration: A key aspect of this role is the integration of threat intelligence into testing programs. This allows for simulating real-world attack vectors, ensuring that assurance activities are both relevant and effective against current and future threats.
• Regulatory and Compliance Expertise: You will play a critical role in ensuring adherence to a wide range of industry standards, including ISO 27001, NIST, PCI DSS, and GDPR. This focus on regulatory alignment provides significant professional development in a highly regulated sector.
• Innovation and Problem Solving: The position encourages the identification of emerging cybersecurity trends and technologies. You will have the opportunity to advocate for and drive the adoption of new security solutions, applying interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to complex and sensitive situations.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Broad Business Understanding: Success in this role requires a deep understanding of how the cybersecurity function integrates with broader business divisions and group objectives. This will necessitate developing comprehensive knowledge of industry theories, practices, and sector-specific insights.
• Influence and Negotiation: You will be expected to provide expert advice to senior management and committees, influencing decisions made outside your direct function. This requires strong negotiation skills and the ability to act as a spokesperson for the function.
• Risk Management Acumen: A core responsibility is executing risk assessments, identifying potential cybersecurity threats, and guiding the implementation of mitigation strategies. This involves clearly communicating findings to senior stakeholders and enhancing overall risk management.
• Policy and Procedure Development: The Head of Cyber Assurance will contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function, ensuring alignment with the bank's risk management framework.
• Incident Management: While focused on assurance, the role involves managing complex cybersecurity incidents, requiring collaboration with IT teams and response experts for effective resolution.
• Leadership Behaviors: Barclays emphasizes its four core LEAD behaviours (Listen and be authentic, Energise and inspire, Align across the enterprise, Develop others) and the Barclays Values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship). Demonstrating these will be crucial for success and career progression.

This is a challenging yet rewarding leadership opportunity for a seasoned cybersecurity professional looking to make a significant impact within a leading financial services organization. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for building robust security assurance programs and driving a culture of security excellence, we encourage you to explore this role.