explore another world Opportunities 03 Intro gg C on rrkkiinn ten w woo t “I love the thrill of fo f s y os working on real stuff ysa a w Page that applies to the eww n 03 Intro rw here and now; there’s ee 04 About us vn o nothing more rewarding cr 06 The people we need se than watching the vi 08 The roles: oD news, seeing a story c – Cyber Security & Information sk iu Assurance . break, and knowing Do c – Information & Communications I contributed to that . Technology (ICT) Research ek in some way.” uc – Other Computer Science, n. oe IT and Technical roles Protecting Britain’s electronic cg i communications and digital space, . 10 – Mathematics l sl Government Communications e r – Language & Culture Specialists t Headquarters (GCHQ) intercepts and e n – Information Specialists interprets information to stay ahead of the e i r h UK’s adversaries – the online criminals, – Leadership Development Scheme s a i computer hackers, terrorists, drug c t 12 – Corporate Support (Accountancy - i smugglers and any organised crime which r & Finance, Audit, Contracts q threatens the country, its people and b Manaagement, Commercial Managers, h infrastructure. It’s vital work that calls for n c i Project Management, Purchasing & intrepid people. People who are ready to s g Procurement, Vetting Officers, etc) . r explore new possibilities and, whichever e w – Project Management e role they’re in, can find innovative solutions r w in unconventional ways. So join our a – Purchasing & Procurement w c mission and enjoy a unique insight into . – Sponsorships/Placements y w another world – using and developing your t w i – Technical Apprenticeships expertise in an environment that might l w i surprise you. y b 14 Our working environment t i i s l i 16 Our culture s b o i s p 17 Training and development s f o o p 17 Salary and benefits f d o l r 18 The application and d o l r w o vetting process w a a r e r t e n t n E E See things that others don’t “ There is frequently misunderstanding around what GCHQ does, and many people make the mistake of 04 About us thinking we are MI5 or MI6. All three “Every day is different and there is agencies have their constant change, so it never feels like own identity and are it’s getting stale. There’s also a real unique in what they creative buzz and a thirst for new ideas.” do. It just happens that we come together As one of the UK’s intelligence and security As the threats to the UK’s security and GCHQ) offers world-class advice and with one central agencies, we gather and analyse digital and economy become increasingly complex, consultancy on information security issues electronic signals from many channels, from we’re working more closely than ever before to customers and government worldwide. mission – to safeguard all corners of the world. Converting this with other members of the intelligence GCHQ also hosts the UK Cyber Security Discover new ways of working information into intelligence material, we community. Bringing together the ‘human Operations Centre (CSOC), through which UK interests.” play a significant role in informing national intelligence’ focus of MI5 and MI6 and expertise is concentrated on understanding security, military operations, police activity our electronic or ‘signals intelligence’ threats and exploiting opportunities in and foreign policy. Our customers include as it’s known, we’re even better placed to cyber space. government organisations such as the tackle an ever evolving range of external, So, as you’ll see, what we do is unique, Ministry of Defence and the Foreign & global threats. challenging and rewarding. It will expose Commonwealth Office, as well as law Of all the challenges we face, cyber threats you to a variety of new experiences, new enforcement agencies. are the fastest growing. Tasked with being ways of working, and new ways to grow Our HQ is in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, the Government’s expert in cyber security, your expertise. and we have smaller stations in Yorkshire we’re growing our expertise to help ensure k and Cornwall. Most of our 5,000+ people that the UK can live and work online with .u o are based in Cheltenham, together with confidence. Crucial to this work is CESG c . s some of the world’s most powerful computing – the UK’s national technical authority for r e equipment and cutting edge technology. Information Assurance. CESG (as part of e r a c - q h c g . w w w 05 06 The people we need A large and complex business, the work we do requires expertise in a number of specialist areas. While many of our roles offer entry routes for degree qualified individuals, we also recruit people with professional qualifications or significant work experience, and those with rare language capability. There are also opportunities for apprentices, students and those with at least 5 GCSEs (including Maths, English and an IT related or Science subject at grade C or above) or equivalent. Everyone who joins us, no matter what level they are in the organisation, has access to training and development opportunities. Due to the unique and challenging nature of our work, you’ll discover an ideal environment in which to explore your ability and take your experience to whole new levels. Professional & Student level: w “ From the second I experienced hires: Sponsorships/Placements; w w . Specialist IT, Electronic Communications; Technical Apprentices. gc walked through the hq Cyber Security & Information Assurance -c are ers. front door I knew I roles; Systems/Software Engineering; 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) co.uk IT Project Management; Language or more: was part of something Analysts; Information Specialists; Technical Apprentices; First line Corporate Support (e.g. Procurement, special. To work for IT support; Finance. Finance, Project Management, etc) an organisation where Graduate entry level or drive and motivation equivalent (e.g. native level comes not from ability for Language “ We all aspire to become experts in our Analysts): money, but from the Language Analysts; Cyber Security & work so that we are able to not only opportunity to do Information Assurance roles; Mathematics; understand how our adversaries operate, Computer Science, IT, ICT Research, extraordinary things Software Engineering and Electronic but also protect our very own communications for your country gives Engineering roles; Information Specialists; plus our Leadership Development Scheme. – such as those used by Central Government, me an immense sense or by armed forces engaged in conflict.” of achievement.” 07 08 The roles These are some of the main career streams that we recruit to: Cyber Security & Information & Other Computer Science, Information Assurance Communications IT & Technical roles Technology (ICT) Research The UK is constantly under attack. Carrying out pioneering research across We operate in one of the most diverse, Cyberspace is vital for the prosperity of a wide range of technologies, our teams technically challenging IT cultures. Our the UK and for our way of life. It brings work to develop innovative techniques and work involves tailoring and re-engineering many opportunities for businesses and applications to deliver new solutions and emerging technologies and systems to our people, but also numerous threats. Every prototype systems. They also explore how own unique needs, as well as developing internet connection is a gateway through we can integrate emerging technologies hardware and software solutions to which hackers, money launderers and into our operational work. highly complex problems. These roles even terrorists could launch an assault are critical to keeping our operations Ours is a highly creative and cutting-edge on national security. However, by using running and advancing our capabilities, technical environment. So we’re looking and creating some of the world’s most and typically include: advanced technology, we’re fighting back. for inquisitive people who can take the initiative, seize new opportunities and rise Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Our diverse teams of experts apply their to complex challenges. Telecomms Engineering, IT Infrastructure, skills, imagination and innovation to take IT Service Management (including First Line You could be involved in a variety of work, on hugely complex technical challenges; IT Support) and IT Project Management. supporting major Government ICT including High Speed Internet Processing, programmes to ensure appropriate levels Hardware, Network Exploration, Data We recruit experienced people and at of security are built in. Every day brings Mining, Natural Language Processing, graduate entry level for most of these new problems to solve – researching and Mobile Technology, Internet Research and areas, while our First Line IT Support developing new methods of safeguarding Stream Analysis. positions are available to those with a critical data, intercepting and decoding minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent). For all roles in these areas you should information and exploiting opportunities to Whichever role you’re interested in, have, or be studying towards, a minimum secure the advantage. you’ll need to be an innovative thinker 2:1 honours degree in a single or joint and problem solver, and a confident We recruit experienced people and at technical subject such as Applied decision maker. graduate entry level for these roles. (At Mathematics, Physics, Electronic graduate entry level we look for individuals Engineering, Computer Science or any with a degree in a STEM related subject other numerate or technical discipline. www.gchq-careers.co.uk (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics), preferably with a significant IT component). 09 10 The roles “ There’s been a real mix of on the job training and structured tuition, and I’ve even learnt a new programming language along the way.” Mathematics Language Analysts Information Specialists Leadership Development Scheme We are one of the UK’s top employers of GCHQ employs more language specialists The GCHQ Information team provides On this in-depth, bespoke development mathematicians (outside of academia).