Job DescriptionJob Title: Microsoft Cyber Defence Architect
Location: London
Salary: Competitive Salary depending on experience
Career Level: Manager
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Accenture Microsoft Business Group (AMBG) is a global team of 80,000+ professionals, recognised 19 times as Microsoft Global SI Partner of the Year. We’re leaders in AI and Business Applications, helping clients achieve end-to-end transformation-from strategy to delivery and managed services.
As a Cyber Defence Architect within AMBG, you will lead the design and delivery of advanced cyber defence solutions across Microsoft 365, Azure, and hybrid environments. You will be instrumental in helping clients secure their digital estates using Microsoft’s Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Security Copilot, and automation capabilities, while also shaping managed security services (MSS) offerings.
This is a client-facing, delivery-focused role with opportunities to contribute to pre-sales, solution shaping, and thought leadership across Accenture engagements.
Role Responsibilities:Delivery Leadership (approx. 80%) -
- Architect and implement Microsoft Defender XDR solutions across endpoints, identities, email, cloud apps, and networks.
- Design and deploy Security Copilot for both embedded and standalone use cases, enabling AI-powered incident response, threat hunting, and summarisation.
- Integrate SIEM and SOAR capabilities using Microsoft Sentinel and Logic Apps to automate detection, response, and reporting workflows.
- Lead MSS engagements, including Managed XDR, Managed SIEM, and Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) using Defender for Cloud and Purview.
- Develop automation playbooks for reverse engineering scripts, malware analysis, and alert triage using Security Copilot plug-ins and skills.
- Apply MITRE ATT&CK framework to improve detection logic, threat modelling, and incident response strategies.
- Collaborate with AMBG industry leads to tailor cyber defence strategies for Financial Services, Health, Retail, and Public Sector clients.
- Support pre-sales and solution shaping, including workshops, assessments, and roadmap development.
- Mentor junior architects and consultants, and contribute to AMBG capability building and innovation.
- Support client workshops and steer solution evolution during delivery.
Pre-sales & Solutioning (approx. 20%)
- Contribute to shaping opportunities and technical solutioning for pursuits;
- Support RFx responses with architecture inputs and delivery approach;
- Develop reusable assets and share best practices across the team.
QualificationWe are looking for experience in the following: Technical Skills:- Microsoft Defender Suite: Defender for Endpoint, Identity, Office 365, Cloud Apps, and Defender XDR
- Microsoft Sentinel: SIEM, SOAR, KQL, custom analytics, and automation
- Security Copilot: Embedded and standalone experiences, plug-in integration, incident summarisation, and threat intelligence enrichment
- Microsoft Purview: Data classification, DLP, Insider Risk Management, and governance
- Microsoft Entra ID: Conditional Access, Identity Governance, and secure onboarding
- Microsoft Intune: Endpoint protection and policy enforcement
- Azure Logic Apps & Power Platform: Automation and orchestration
- Cloud-native security tooling: CNAPP, CSPM, workload protection
Manager-Level Skills (Cyber Defence Architecture Lens):- Experience leading XDR migration programmes ;
- Hands-on experience with managed security services and automation frameworks
- Strong understanding of Managed Security Services across Microsoft and non-Microsoft security tooling.
- Stakeholder management and ability to influence senior client decision-makers;
- Competence in estimating, shaping SoWs, and managing RAIDs for large-scale Cyber Defence programmes.
Certifications & Experience:- Microsoft Certifications: SC-100 (Cybersecurity Architect), SC-200 (Security Operations Analyst), SC-400 (Information Protection)
- Industry Certifications: CISSP, CISM, CCSP, SANS GIAC
- Experience in delivering complex Microsoft Sentinel migrations and Security Copilot projects.
- Experience in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare, government)
- Familiarity with Microsoft Fabric, Copilot, and third-party AI integrations
What’s in it for youAt Accenture in addition to a competitive basic salary, you will also have an extensive benefits package.
Flexibility and mobility are required to deliver this role as there will be requirements to spend time onsite with our clients and partners to enable delivery of the first-class services, we are known for. Closing Date for Applications 31/01/2026
Accenture reserves the right to close the role before this date should a suitable applicant be found.
LocationsLondon
Birmingham
Edinburgh
Leeds
Manchester
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