Microsoft Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst – T2 & T3

About this role

(Security Clearance Required)

Preferred Location - Newcastle

Job Description

The SOC Analyst Team operates as a next‑generation, intelligence‑led Security Operations function, designed to deliver high‑quality, scalable 24×7 security monitoring and response.

All SOC analysts participate in a 24×7 shift model, ensuring uninterrupted service coverage, while also contributing to detection improvement, automation feedback, and service optimisation when operational demand allows.

Tier 2 – SOC Analyst

Technology Primary – Microsoft Sentinel & Service Now.

Role Purpose

Tier 2 SOC Analysts represent the primary human analysis function, responsible for investigating escalated alerts and incidents that require human judgement, contextual understanding, and analytical depth.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform deep investigation of escalated alerts and incidents from automated Tier 1 workflows
• Validate threats, scope impact, and determine severity using contextual analysis
• Investigate across multiple data sources, including:
• SIEM
• EDR / XDR
• Identity and authentication telemetry
• Cloud and SaaS platforms
• Coordinate and execute response actions in line with:
• Defined playbooks
• Client‑specific requirements
• Incident response procedures
• Maintain clear, high‑quality investigation documentation and handover notes

Operational Expectations

• Operate as part of a 24×7 shift rota
• Maintain accountability for investigation accuracy and quality
• Escalate complex or ambiguous cases to Tier 3 appropriately
• Provide structured feedback into:
• Detection tuning
• Alert quality improvements
• Automation optimisation

Continuous Improvement Contributions

When Operational Demand Allows, Tier 2 Analysts Are Expected To Contribute Insight Time To Platform Improvement Activities, Supporting The Platform Automation Lead Through

• Identification of repeatable investigation patterns
• Feedback on automation opportunities
• Playbook refinement and improvement
• Detection logic tuning recommendations

Qualifications

Tier 3 – Senior SOC Analyst / Incident Specialist

Role Purpose

Tier 3 analysts provide advanced security expertise and escalation handling, focusing on complex, high‑risk, or ambiguous security incidents and ensuring consistent investigation quality across the SOC.

Key Responsibilities

• Handle escalations involving:
• High‑impact or business‑critical incidents
• Advanced or evasive attacker techniques
• Ambiguous or novel threat behaviour
• Conduct advanced threat analysis, including:
• Attacker behaviour and intent assessment
• Cross‑incident correlation
• Campaign and intrusion analysis
• Provide oversight and quality assurance of Tier 2 investigations
• Lead complex incident response coordination where required

Leadership & Mentorship

• Participate in 24×7 escalation coverage, via on‑call or senior shift roles
• Act as a technical mentor to Tier 2 analysts
• Support analyst development through coaching and investigative guidance
• Set investigation and response quality standards across the SOC

Platform & Automation Feedback

Like Tier 2, Tier 3 Analysts Are Expected To Provide Structured Feedback Into Platform And Automation Initiatives, Working Indirectly With The Platform Automation Lead To

• Improve detection fidelity
• Reduce repeat incident patterns
• Increase automation coverage over time
• Ensure complex incidents inform long‑term service improvement

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