Cyber security professionals SOC 2135
Cyber security professionals (SOC 2135) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £48,500 per year. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
What does a cyber security professional do?
Cyber security professionals design, implement, test and maintain cyber security systems and track, investigate and analyse data linked to cybercrime.
Typical tasks
- examines IT system for potential threats to its security and integrity and draws up response plans for situations where security is compromised
- develops test plans for security systems and undertakes and documents the testing of security systems weaknesses and errors, identifies source of problems and proposes solutions
- develops quality standards and validation techniques
- makes recommendations concerning software/system quality
- deals with and reports on breaches in security
- uses specialist software to gather and analyse information and evidence relating to cybercrime and presents findings to law enforcement officials or private clients
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entrants usually possess a degree or equivalent qualification, although entry with other academic qualifications and/or significant relevant experience is possible. There is a variety of relevant vocational, professional and postgraduate qualifications available.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What cyber security professionals earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most cyber security professionals in the UK earn between £43,680 and £69,316 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £48,500 (SOC 2135), sitting at the 41st percentile of what UK employers pay and £2,876 below the median.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
How to get sponsored as a cyber security professional
- 1
Find a licensed sponsor on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors
Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring cyber security professionals, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £48,500 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 2135 (£48,500) or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
New entrants and ISL roles may qualify for a lower rate. See the New entrant & discount rates section below.
- 3
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a reference number the Home Office uses to check the job offer, salary, and duties line up with an eligible SOC code.
- 4
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa at gov.uk
Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online within 3 months of your CoS assignment date. You'll also book a biometric appointment and pay the immigration health surcharge.
Apply on gov.uk - 5
Move to the UK and start work
Travel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.
New entrant & discount rates
If you're under 26, switching from a Student visa, or a recent UK graduate, your employer can pay the new entrant rate of £35,300 (70% of the going rate) for up to four years.
Roles under SOC 2135
Recent jobs under SOC 2135
About The Job Job summary Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC. Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential. HMRC is recruiting Enterprise Security Architects (Principal Cybersecurity Professional) to shape and govern the security architecture, technolo
About The Job Job summary Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC. Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential. HMRC is recruiting Enterprise Security Architects (Principal Cybersecurity Professional) to shape and govern the security architecture, technolo
About The Job Job summary Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC. Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential. HMRC is recruiting Enterprise Security Architects (Principal Cybersecurity Professional) to shape and govern the security architecture, technolo
Do you have a Network architecture background and looking for your next challenge? Salary : Circa £65,000 depending on experience Dynamic (hybrid) working : 2–3 days per week on-site, dependent on current project classification Security Clearance : British Citizen able to achieve DV. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard check
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Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (213xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can cyber security professionals get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Cyber security professionals roles fall under SOC 2135 (Higher Skilled), so they qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer will need a sponsor licence and must pay at least the going rate for this occupation.
What salary do cyber security professionals need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Cyber security professionals (SOC 2135) is £48,500 (£24.87 per hour). Occupation rate applies. Your employer must pay whichever is higher: this going rate or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
What job titles are covered by SOC 2135?
SOC 2135 covers a range of cyber security professionals roles, including: Cyber operational defence specialists, Cyber security management and governance specialists, Forensic computer specialists, Secure system development specialists, Cyber security professionals not elsewhere classified.. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.
Is there a lower salary for new graduates entering cyber security professionals roles?
Yes. If you're under 26, a recent graduate, or switching from a Student visa, you count as a "new entrant" and your employer only needs to pay 70% of the going rate (with an absolute floor of £33,400/year — the new-entrant minimum cannot go below that). For Cyber security professionals, that works out to £35,300. The discount lasts up to four years.
Where can I find cyber security professionals jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Cyber security professionals roles from companies with a Home Office sponsor licence. Scroll down to see what's currently open, or search our full jobs database for more visa-sponsored positions across the UK.
This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.