Case Study: IT Security Associate

Overview

ARCselect partnered with a prestigious investment bank headquartered in the City of London to identify and secure an IT Security Associate. The institution, with a global technology footprint, required an individual capable of strengthening its IT Security Operations function while embedding robust risk management practices across both infrastructure and business applications.

The Challenge

The client sought to appoint an IT Security Associate with a rare blend of technical depth and governance oversight. The role was designed to split responsibilities between:

• Security Operations (75%): identity access management, threat detection, incident response, and business application security.
• IT Risk Management (25%): improving risk processes, embedding controls, and aligning with the Group Risk Framework.

Several factors heightened the challenge of the search:

1. Talent Shortage in Cybersecurity
   Mid-level professionals with 3–5 years’ hands-on security operations experience are in short supply. Many candidates were either too junior or already seeking senior leadership roles.
2. Competition from Larger Employers
   Consultancy firms, other financial services organisations and big tech companies were all competing for the same pool of candidates – often with hybrid or remote-first flexibility, unlike this London-based requirement.
3. Technical Breadth vs. Market Realities
   The role required familiarity with a wide suite of technologies—from PAM/PIM and SIEM to multi-cloud security environments. However, most candidates specialise in specific domains rather than across the full stack.

Our Approach

ARCselect carried out a highly targeted headhunting process, designed to balance technical expertise with growth potential. This included:

• Mapping cybersecurity talent within financial services and adjacent regulated industries.
• Prioritising candidates with strong operational security backgrounds while evaluating their ability to step into risk management responsibilities.
• Engaging professionals motivated by career progression and the opportunity to expand their remit beyond technical delivery.
• Advising the client on where flexibility (e.g., certification timelines, specialist depth vs. breadth) would enable access to stronger candidates.

The Outcome

Within a competitive market, ARCselect successfully appointed a Security Associate from a leading financial services organisation who was seeking broader responsibilities and a clear progression path. The hire brought:

• Hands-on operational security expertise across identity access management, incident management and threat detection.
• Exposure to governance and oversight with the capacity to mature the client’s risk management framework.
• Career ambition aligned with the role ensuring long-term impact and development within the organisation.

Since the placement, the client has strengthened its IT Security Operations function, improved its risk management processes and gained a security professional well-positioned to scale with the business in the years ahead.