Cyber Security Fast Stream 2027
Summary
A UK Civil Service graduate leadership scheme (25 posts) rotating you through cyber security roles across government departments — advising on cyber strategy, reviewing digital services for security assurance, and leading incident detection and response. Starts at £31,554 and requires a 2:2 degree (any subject) plus SC security clearance.
- Job grade: Higher Executive Officer
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: FSET - Centrally Managed Scheme
- Type of role: Fast Stream
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Number of jobs available: 25
Location
As an indication, in 2026 new fast streamers were posted to government offices in the following regions: Greater London, North East, North West, South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
On occasion, some individuals may need to move location. We aim to align postings with your preferences whenever possible; however, final decisions must support our wider business needs. Please note that Fast Streamers cannot choose their department or their specific role.
About the job
Job summary
Job description
On the Cyber Fast Stream programme, you will have the opportunity to work in various areas across the UK Civil Service. You will have the chance to develop your leadership and management capabilities while developing skills and experience through a number of postings. During your postings, Cyber Fast Streamers have the opportunity to work in collaboration with wider business departmental colleagues. You may be:
Advising senior management on cyber strategy and policies.
Providing critical advice and guidance to ensure secure systems are being delivered effectively.
Investigating indicators of potentially malicious activity, escalating incidents or initiating responses.
Performing detailed reviews of digital services in order to provide security assurance and prevent and mitigate against potential cyber risks.
Setting direction and leading teams responsible for the detection and response to cyber incidents and the technology and processes required to keep pace with the evolving cyber threat.
Person specification
You need to have, or be or be on track to receive a 2:2, a degree apprenticeship or post-graduate degree in any subject
Existing civil servants can apply without a degree. Before starting the scheme, all Cyber Fast Streamers must secure SC clearance
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
Benefits
As well as great roles, working with experts and access to specialist L&D, you will also have the best opportunity to gain the skills and experience that will make you a credible leader within the UK Civil Service.
Other benefits include the Civil Service pension scheme, professional qualifications, flexible working, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, child care assistance and more.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
Application Process
There are several phases in the Fast Stream application process. Some of these assessments are multimedia in that they present information in video, audio, graphical or visual formats, as well as text. We hope you find it an engaging process and one that gives you a real insight into the role of a fast streamer.
At the initial application stage you will be asked to complete some background information which will include some diversity questions - which are for monitoring purposes only and will have no bearing on selection outcomes - along with the opportunity to identify your preferences in terms of the different Fast Stream schemes. You can choose up to three.
When you apply please register with a personal email address, and not a work or university email address.
Assessment Phases
There are 2 online tests:
Work-based scenarios - This test measures interpersonal skills, utilising video based scenarios and you are required to assess the effectiveness of various responses.
Case Study assessment - In this test you are required to take work based scenarios on an imaginary role, learning and responding to a series of challenges and situations and adapting to the changes you are presented with.
Additional information - depending on the schemes you have chosen, there may be additional information to be completed, or an intermediate sift process. More information on the schemes that require additional information can be found https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs-additional-information/
Fast Stream Assessment Centre - if you pass the above stages you'll be invited to attend a half day assessment centre. This will be conducted virtually online. The Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role and will consist of a written exercise, oral briefing exercise and a personal development conversation. Information will be presented via an app that you will be able to access remotely.
Final Selection Board - most schemes will then require a Final Selection Board . We'll ask you to attend this final assessment if you reach the required standard at FSAC. More information on the Final Selection Boards can be found https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs-final-selection-board/
The Civil Service Fast Stream is committed to supporting you through the application process by offering a range of reasonable adjustments. For further information about reasonable adjustments through the Fast Stream application process, please visit our dedicated page - https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs-reasonable-adjustments/
If you need to contact us, please submit a request for help https://fsetatso.freshdesk.com/support/home
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
- Email : faststream.applicationsupport@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
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