Detection & Response Analyst

Detection & Response Analyst (Cyber Security)

Location: Primarily remote, with occasional travel to a Manchester office

Salary: £35k-£45k plus on-call compensation

About the Role

An established cyber security business is seeking a Detection & Response Analyst to join its Security Operations team. The organisation specialises in managed security services, helping businesses detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats.

The successful candidate will work within a fast-paced Security Operations Centre (SOC), supporting customers through continuous monitoring, incident response, and proactive threat management.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build their career in cyber security while gaining hands-on experience across modern security technologies and environments.

Position Overview

You will be part of a managed SOC team, acting as the first line of defence for customer environments. Responsibilities include monitoring systems, analysing security alerts, investigating suspicious activity, and supporting incident response activities.

You will work closely with senior analysts and engineers to identify and contain threats while continuously improving security operations and detection capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyse security alerts generated by Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel.
• Investigate suspicious activity, misconfigurations, and potential vulnerabilities.
• Support the onboarding of new customers onto the managed security platform.
• Assist with incident response and remediation activities.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of SOC processes and detection engineering.
• Support automation and workflow enhancements to improve response times and operational efficiency.
• Participate in customer communications and provide clear updates during incidents.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Strong interest in cyber security and threat detection.
• Understanding of Microsoft security technologies, including Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR.
• Knowledge of networking fundamentals, operating systems, and security principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

Desirable

• Previous SOC or IT support experience.
• Familiarity with SIEM technologies and incident response processes.
• Understanding of phishing, malware analysis, and common attack techniques.
• Relevant certifications such as CompTIA Security+, SC-200, or equivalent.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary with additional on-call compensation.
• Primarily remote working arrangement.
• Career development and training opportunities.
• Exposure to enterprise-grade security technologies and real-world cyber incidents.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.