Head of Data Security
JOB_53732284768941Job type
PermanentLocation
LondonWorking Pattern
Full-timeSpecialism
Cyber SecurityIndustry
InsurancePay
140000
Head of Data Security
HEAD OF DATA SECURITY - LONDON - UK ONLY
Key Responsibilities:
- Define and drive the enterprise-wide data protection strategy, ensuring robust safeguards for sensitive information across cloud services, applications, and endpoints.
- Develop and mature the organisation’s DLP operating model, including policy frameworks, rule sets, alerting thresholds, and continuous monitoring enhancements.
- Implement strong governance for data classification, handling, retention, and encryption, ensuring secure management of data throughout its lifecycle.
- Lead the organisation’s strategic direction on quantum ‑ resilient security, including assessments of quantum-related risks and the creation of a staged readiness plan.
- Assess, recommend, and oversee the rollout of advanced cryptographic technologies, ensuring alignment with evolving standards and business risk appetite.
- Embed secure data practices across projects and platforms, working collaboratively with Architecture, Technology, Risk, Legal, and Compliance to ensure security is built in from the outset.
- Stay ahead of emerging data security and cryptography threats, continuously scanning the external environment for new risks and regulatory drivers.
- Act as escalation point for data protection incidents, providing expert advice on containment, investigation, and lessons learned.
- Manage relationships with specialist vendors, consultancies, and technology partners, ensuring solutions deliver value and meet security expectations.
Performance Objectives
- Deliver a coherent organisational strategy for data protection and DLP, with clear controls, governance structures, and reporting mechanisms.
- Reduce data ‑ exfiltration and insider ‑ risk exposures, supported by quantifiable improvements in control effectiveness and risk visibility.
- Produce a credible, risk ‑ aligned post ‑ quantum cryptography roadmap, addressing future ‑ proofing, migration planning, and regulatory readiness.
Skills and Experience Specification
Essential
- Extensive leadership experience in data security, information security, or cybersecurity, ideally within large or complex organisations.
- Deep technical knowledge of DLP tooling, data classification models, encryption technologies, and secure data lifecycle controls.
- Strong grounding in cryptographic fundamentals, key management schemes, and secure system design.
- Demonstrable experience deploying enterprise-grade DLP solutions across hybrid cloud, on ‑ premises, and endpoint ecosystems.
- Ability to convert complex technical risks into clear strategic insights for senior executives and board ‑ level stakeholders.
- Proven capability in cross-functional collaboration, engaging effectively with technology, business, risk, and compliance teams.
- Professional security certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCSP, or cryptography ‑ specific accreditations.
- Awareness of evolving cryptographic and security guidance, including NIST post ‑ quantum cryptography standards.
Desirable
- Hands ‑ on experience with quantum ‑ safe cryptography, cryptographic agility programmes, or emerging quantum ‑ resilient security solutions.
- Background in highly regulated sectors such as financial services, insurance, or healthcare.
- Experience leading data security incident response, breach investigations, or complex data ‑ related forensics.
Head of Data SecurityJOB_537322847689412026-02-062026-05-08
Talk to James Francis, the specialist consultant managing this position
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JOB_53732284768941