Security Architect (SC Cleared) - CONTRACT

Security Architect (SC Cleared)

Location: London (hybrid working)

Rate: £650 - £750 per day (Inside IR35/Umbrella)

Duration: 6 months

Clearance: Active SC Clearance required (sole UK nationals)

We are seeking an experienced Security Architect to lead security architecture, design assurance, and cloud security strategy across a portfolio of large-scale modernisation, obsolescence, and transformation programmes.

This role will focus on securing Legacy remediation initiatives, platform upgrades, cloud migrations, and technology refresh programmes while defining the target-state security architecture and cloud security framework. You will ensure solutions are delivered securely, compliantly, and in alignment with enterprise standards, regulatory requirements, and business objectives.

Working across multiple workstreams, you will collaborate with engineering, cloud, infrastructure, and programme teams to embed secure-by-design principles and facilitate the transition to modern cloud security operating models.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead security architecture and assurance activities across obsolescence, upgrade, migration, and decommissioning programmes.
• Define and maintain cloud security architecture, frameworks, standards, and security patterns.
• Design secure target-state architectures across hybrid and cloud-native environments, with a particular focus on Azure.
• Conduct security risk assessments, threat modelling, and remediation planning.
• Provide governance, technical assurance, and architecture sign-off throughout the delivery life cycle.
• Ensure secure-by-design principles are Embedded across identity, infrastructure, networking, applications, and data platforms.
• Define and document cloud security controls and support their implementation into operational service models.
• Facilitate the transition from project delivery into cloud security-managed operations.
• Guide the adoption of modern security tooling and the replacement of Legacy technologies and controls.
• Collaborate with enterprise architects, cloud engineers, infrastructure teams, and programme stakeholders to align security strategy with business objectives.
• Conduct security reviews, assessments, and audits to ensure ongoing compliance with internal and external standards.
• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise on cloud security best practices and emerging technologies.

Core Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience operating as a Security Architect within large-scale transformation, cloud migration, or technology modernisation programmes.
• Strong background across both traditional on-premises infrastructure and public cloud environments.
• Deep expertise across:
  • Cloud Security Architecture (Azure preferred)
  • Identity & Access Management (IAM)
  • Zero Trust Architecture
  • Network Security
  • Application Security
  • Data Protection & Encryption
  • SIEM, Logging, Monitoring & Detection
• Experience designing and securing migrations from Legacy environments to cloud-native platforms.
• Strong understanding of security governance, risk management, and information assurance principles.
• Ability to operate independently whilst influencing technical and non-technical stakeholders across multiple programmes.
• Experience defining security standards, controls, and operating models for enterprise cloud environments.

Knowledge of:

• ISO 27001
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• Secure by Design principles
• UK Government/Defence environments
• OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE environments