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