Network Security Architect - DV Cleared

MOD DV Cleared Network Security Architect

Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire (Full-time onsite)
Contract: 12-Month Rolling Contract
Rate: £600-£700 per day (Outside IR35)
Clearance: Active UK MOD DV Clearance Required

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced MOD DV Cleared Network Security Architect to support a high-profile government programme delivering secure and resilient enterprise capabilities within a highly regulated environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for an architect with a strong background across both network and infrastructure security domains, capable of translating security requirements into robust technical designs. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in developing security architectures, producing High-Level Designs (HLDs), conducting control mapping activities, and ensuring solutions align with MOD and government security standards.

Due to the nature of the programme, this role requires full-time onsite presence in Basingstoke and an active MOD DV clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own High-Level Security Designs (HLDs) for complex network and infrastructure solutions.
• Define end-to-end security architectures supporting programme objectives and operational requirements.
• Produce and maintain security design documentation, architectural artefacts and technical decision records.
• Conduct security control mapping against applicable frameworks and standards.
• Translate business, operational and security requirements into pragmatic technical solutions.
• Work closely with infrastructure, network, delivery and security teams to ensure secure-by-design principles are embedded throughout delivery.
• Review existing environments and identify architectural improvements, risks and remediation activities.
• Support design governance activities including technical reviews, risk assessments and design authorities.
• Provide security guidance throughout the project lifecycle, from concept through to implementation.
• Liaise with stakeholders across engineering, programme management and customer teams to ensure alignment of security objectives.
• Contribute to accreditation and assurance activities where required.

Essential Skills & Experience

Security Architecture

• Proven experience operating as a Security Architect or Network Security Architect within secure government or defence environments.
• Strong understanding of secure architectural principles and secure-by-design methodologies.
• Demonstrable experience producing:
  • High-Level Designs (HLDs)
  • Security design documentation
  • Architectural decision records
  • Technical standards and guidance

Control Mapping & Assurance

• Hands-on experience conducting control mapping against recognised security frameworks.
• Ability to interpret security requirements and demonstrate how technical controls satisfy them.
• Experience supporting assurance, governance and accreditation activities.
• Familiarity with:
  • NIST 800-53
  • NCSC guidance
  • MOD security policies
  • JSP 440 principles
  • Defence assurance processes

Network Security

• TCP/IP, routing and switching
• VLANs and segmentation
• Firewalls and security zoning
• IDS/IPS technologies
• VPN technologies
• Load balancing concepts
• Proxy technologies
• Network Access Control (NAC)
• Secure remote access
• DNS and DHCP services
• Zero Trust networking concepts