GCHQ dangles up to £130K for a CISO to fight the world's most capable adversaries
The Register
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence agency, is seeking a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in what it calls one of the most influential cybersecurity roles in the country. The position offers a competitive salary range of £96,981 to £130,000 and comes with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation against sophisticated cyber threats. The CISO will need to balance risk management, technological advancement, and incident response planning while ensuring the UK remains resilient against its most formidable adversaries.
Candidates must be British citizens or hold dual British nationality and possess extensive experience in leading cybersecurity functions. Key requirements include certifications like CISSP, CISM, or CCISO, as well as a deep understanding of cloud security—a skill likely tied to GCHQ’s ongoing projects, such as the expansion of its cloud capabilities. The role involves regular reporting to management, conducting risk assessments, and designing robust incident response and business continuity plans.
The position is based at GCHQ’s headquarters in Cheltenham or its offices in London and Manchester. While some home working is possible, most work will be office-based. Applicants must undergo Developed Vetting security checks, which can extend the application process to six to nine months. The deadline for
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Originally published on The Register on 2/26/2026