Cyber Security Recruitment Across Europe
We connect cyber security talent with organisations protecting critical systems and data. Hiring in security isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about identifying people who can operate in real-world threat environments. We work with organisations strengthening their security posture, and professionals who can apply their expertise under pressure, not just in theory.
Our focus is on connecting security engineers, analysts, and risk specialists with opportunities where their work has real impact.
Cyber Security Roles We Recruit
We place permanent and contract professionals across the full cyber security lifecycle, from strategy and architecture through to detection, response, and recovery.
Security Architecture
Security architects who design and implement security frameworks across enterprise environments. Network segmentation, zero trust architecture, identity fabric design, encryption strategy, and security reference architectures. We recruit permanent and contract professionals who translate business risk appetite into technical security controls that are effective without paralysing the organisation.
Penetration Testing and Offensive Security
Penetration testers, red team operators, and offensive security specialists who identify vulnerabilities before attackers do. Web application testing, infrastructure testing, API testing, cloud penetration testing, social engineering, and adversary simulation. We recruit professionals with hands-on experience, not just certifications. OSCP, OSCE, CREST, and CHECK qualifications matter, but what they have found and how they reported it matters more.
Data Science
Data scientists who go beyond exploratory analysis and Jupyter notebooks. We place professionals who define the problem, select the approach, build the model, validate the results, and communicate the outcome to stakeholders who are not technical. Statistical modelling, predictive analytics, experimentation design, and causal inference.
Security Operations and Incident Response
SOC analysts, security engineers, incident responders, and threat hunters who monitor, detect, and respond to security events in real time. SIEM management (Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, QRadar, Elastic), SOAR automation, EDR deployment, threat intelligence integration, and incident response playbook development. We place professionals across SOC maturity levels, from building a security operations function from scratch to optimising an established L3 capability.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance
GRC consultants, information security managers, and compliance specialists who ensure organisations meet regulatory requirements and manage risk effectively. ISO 27001, SOC 2, NIST, NIS2, DORA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR. We recruit professionals who understand that compliance is the baseline, not the ceiling, and who can communicate risk to boards and executive teams in business language rather than technical jargon.
Identity and Access Management
IAM engineers and architects who design and implement identity solutions across enterprise and cloud environments. Active Directory, Entra ID (Azure AD), Okta, SailPoint, CyberArk, privileged access management, identity governance, and single sign-on. We place professionals who understand that identity is the new perimeter, particularly in organisations with hybrid infrastructure and distributed workforces.
Cloud Security
Cloud security engineers and architects who secure workloads, data, and infrastructure across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Cloud security posture management, workload protection, container security, serverless security, and compliance automation in cloud-native environments. We recruit professionals who understand that cloud security is not traditional security repackaged. It requires a different mindset, different tooling, and different skills.
Application Security
AppSec engineers and consultants who embed security into the software development lifecycle. Secure code review, SAST, DAST, SCA, threat modelling, DevSecOps pipeline integration, and developer security training. We place professionals who work with development teams rather than against them, making security a part of the build process rather than a gate at the end of it.
Cyber Security Leadership
CISOs, Heads of Information Security, Security Directors, and cyber security programme leads. For permanent hires, we identify leaders who will define security strategy, build teams, manage board-level stakeholder relationships, and drive cultural change over the long term. For contract placements, we supply experienced security leaders for specific transformation programmes, regulatory remediation, interim CISO engagements, or post-breach recovery.
Industries We Recruit Cyber Security Professionals Into
Cyber security professionals placed by TechNest Talent work across:
Financial Services — regulatory compliance (DORA, PCI-DSS, FCA), fraud prevention, trading platform security, banking application security, third-party risk management
Healthcare and Life Sciences — patient data protection, medical device security, clinical trial data integrity, HIPAA and GDPR compliance, NHS and public health system security
Retail and E-commerce — PCI-DSS compliance, payment platform security, customer data protection, bot mitigation, supply chain security
Energy and Utilities — OT/ICS security, SCADA system protection, smart grid security, critical national infrastructure defence, NIS2 compliance
Insurance — policyholder data protection, claims system security, regulatory compliance, cyber insurance product development support
Media and Entertainment — content protection, DRM infrastructure, live event platform security, ad-tech fraud prevention
Automotive and Manufacturing — connected vehicle security, factory OT security, supply chain integrity, product security, ISO 21434 compliance
Public Sector — government security frameworks, security clearance environments, citizen data protection, national cyber resilience programmes
Defence — classified environment security, secure communications, threat intelligence, SC and DV cleared personnel
Why Clients Use TechNest Talent for Cyber Security Recruitment
Our consultants know the difference between a SOC analyst and a threat hunter. They understand why a CREST-certified pen tester is not the same as someone with a CEH. They know which skills are genuinely scarce and which are oversupplied. This means you get relevant candidates, not keyword-matched CVs.
We deliver shortlists, not CVs by the dozen. When you brief us on a role, you receive a focused shortlist of pre-vetted candidates who match the technical requirements, the seniority level, and the compensation expectations. For contract roles, that typically means a shortlist within 48 hours. For permanent roles, we take longer because we go deeper on cultural alignment, career motivations, and clearance status.
We handle European compliance. Every European market has its own employment law, tax frameworks, and contracting regulations. Security roles add an additional layer of complexity around clearance requirements, vetting timelines, and data handling restrictions. We manage all of this across every jurisdiction we operate in.
We understand clearance requirements. Many cyber security roles require security clearance. We know the difference between SC and DV in the UK, NATO clearance, and equivalent frameworks in other European markets. We confirm clearance status before submitting any candidate, so you do not waste time interviewing someone who cannot pass vetting.
Why Candidates and Contractors Choose TechNest Talent
Every role is real. We do not advertise positions to build a database. Every role we share with you, permanent or contract, has been briefed directly by the hiring manager, has an approved budget or headcount, and has a confirmed or near-confirmed start date.
Your specialist consultant knows your field. When you speak to us about an incident response role, you speak to someone who understands MITRE ATT&CK. When you discuss a GRC contract, your consultant knows the difference between ISO 27001 implementation and certification maintenance. We do not waste your time with generic conversations.
Compensation transparency before you interview. For permanent roles, you will know the salary range, the benefits package, and the growth trajectory before you commit to an interview. For contract roles, you will know the day rate, the IR35 status (for UK engagements), the contract length, and the client context. No surprises at offer stage.
Clearance-aware recruitment. If a role requires security clearance, we will tell you the specific level required and confirm whether your existing clearance transfers before you invest time in the process.
Not sure whether a permanent or contract is right for your next move? Talk to us. Cyber security is one of the specialisms where the contract market is particularly strong due to project-based demand. But permanent roles offer progression into CISO and Head of Security positions that are harder to reach through contracting alone. We can advise on either path.
Cyber Security Salary and Rate Benchmarks
Compensation for cyber security professionals varies significantly depending on specialism, seniority, location, engagement model, clearance requirements, and the specific regulatory environment. Rather than publishing figures that would be inaccurate within weeks, we provide honest, role-specific guidance for every position we recruit.
Factors that consistently drive higher compensation in 2026:
Security clearance (SC, DV, NATO, or equivalent)
CISO and Head of Security experience in regulated industries
OT/ICS security in critical national infrastructure
Cloud security architecture across multi-cloud environments
NIS2 and DORA compliance implementation experience
Offensive security with CREST or CHECK accreditation
Incident response and digital forensics at enterprise scale
Application security with DevSecOps pipeline experience
For a confidential conversation about where your salary or rate should sit, or what budget you need to attract the right person, get in touch.
Key Countries
We place permanent and contract AI and machine learning professionals across Europe. Our active markets include:
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Netherlands
- France
- Spain
