You’re Great at Stopping Threats. But Can You Survive an Audit?

If you work in cybersecurity or IT risk and want to futureproof your career in FinTech, here's the truth: your audit-readiness could be your biggest asset.

With regulatory pressure rising across the UK, US and Europe, FinTech firms are now hiring with one eye on compliance. They need professionals who don’t just know their way around a firewall but who can hold their own in an audit meeting, interpret risk frameworks, and communicate with boards and regulators.

So how do you stand out as that person?

This blog is your guide to becoming the kind of cyber professional FinTech leaders are actively trying to hire.

Why Compliance Is the Career Differentiator in Cyber Now

Ten years ago, technical skills ruled. But today, audit-readiness is a commercial advantage.

From SOC2 in New York to ISO27001 in London and GDPR compliance in Belfast, audit outcomes are now deal-makers or deal-breakers. FinTech companies know this, and they’re investing in people who can:

• Support and lead compliance efforts
• Demonstrate risk management maturity
• Prepare documentation and evidence
• Translate security controls into business outcomes

If you can speak both tech and compliance, you're not just a great hire—you’re a must-hire.

The New Job Description: What FinTech Firms Are Really Looking For

Whether you're applying for a permanent role or stepping into a contract project, FinTech hiring managers increasingly look for candidates who bring more than just certifications.

Here’s what’s rising to the top of the must-have list:

• Familiarity with frameworks like NIST, CIS, ISO27001, and SOC2
• Experience preparing for or participating in external audits
• Strong documentation and reporting skills
• Ability to assess and explain risk to non-technical stakeholders
• Hands-on knowledge of identity and access management (IAM), vendor risk, and incident response

Being able to tick these boxes could be what gets you the callback, or gets you in the door before the job is even advertised.

The Traits of Audit-Ready Cyber Professionals

Based on hundreds of successful placements across FinTech clients in London, New York, and Belfast, here are the top traits that define truly audit-ready candidates:

1. Proactive, not reactive

You anticipate risks, close gaps before they become audit findings, and recommend improvements based on upcoming regulations.

      2. Collaborative

You don’t operate in a silo. You work closely with legal, product, data, and engineering teams to embed security into the business.

     3. Business-aware

You understand how security controls impact revenue, operations, and customer trust.

     4. Detail-oriented

You can maintain clear, accurate documentation. You understand that clean records are as important as clean code.

     5. Comfortable with scrutiny 

You can explain controls to auditors, defend your work, and adapt based on feedback, without getting defensive.

If this sounds like you, you’re in high demand.

Contract vs. Permanent: Where Do You Fit Best?

Both paths are booming right now, each with its own appeal.

Contract roles can offer:

• Higher day rates
• Flexibility and variety
• Opportunities to specialise in audit prep or remediation projects
• You might thrive here if you enjoy fast-paced projects and dropping into high-stakes environments.

Permanent roles can offer:

• Long-term stability
• A seat at the table for long-term risk strategy
• Career development and leadership opportunities

If you're looking to grow into a CISO or Head of Risk role, the permanent route may be right for you.

We’re seeing high demand for both across London, New York, and Belfast. The key is knowing which model fits your lifestyle and goals.

What a Great CV Looks Like in This Market

You might be doing the right work, but are you showing it the right way?

To stand out, your CV should include:

• Specific audit experience (e.g. "Led SOC2 readiness for US-based payments firm")
• Framework familiarity (e.g. "Worked within ISO27001-compliant environment")
• Quantifiable outcomes (e.g. "Reduced third-party vendor risk exposure by 30%")
• Cross-functional collaboration (e.g. "Partnered with engineering and legal to implement role-based access")
• Don’t just list responsibilities. Highlight impact. Use language that speaks to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

The Cities Hiring Smart: London, New York, and Belfast

London is seeing intense demand for IT risk professionals with FCA experience and deep ISO27001 knowledge. Permanent salaries are competitive, and contract opportunities are expanding with upcoming regulatory deadlines.

New York continues to be a hub for SOC2 and NYDFS-aligned talent. Day rates are rising, especially for audit remediation specialists and GRC contractors who can hit the ground running.

Belfast is emerging as a cost-effective cyber security hub. It's an ideal location for talent looking to work with scaling FinTechs while staying outside of London and Dublin price points. There’s also a strong academic pipeline feeding local roles.

Top Interview Tips for Cyber Security and IT Risk Professionals

 Interviewing for a FinTech role? Your technical skills are a given. What hiring managers really want to know is:

 - Can you explain complex risks in plain English?

-  Have you worked through a regulatory audit?

-  Can you align security initiatives with business objectives?

Here’s how to nail your next interview:

1. Know the regulatory context: If you’re applying in the US, brush up on SOC2 and NYDFS. In the UK, understand FCA expectations. Mention previous audit experience and how you helped prepare the business.
2. Share real examples: Don’t just say you “managed risk.” Talk about a time you closed a control gap, improved a vendor assessment process, or updated an incident response plan.

Communicate clearly You’ll likely be interviewed by a mix of technical and non-technical stakeholders. Adapt your language accordingly.

1. Ask smart questions Show that you’re not just looking for a job—you’re assessing whether the company has a mature approach to cyber risk. Ask about their biggest current risks, audit history, and team setup.

What Skills Will Be in Demand for 2025?

The cyber security landscape is evolving fast. If you're planning your next career move—or just staying sharp—these are the skills we see rising in demand:

- Cloud security auditing (AWS, Azure, GCP)

- Zero Trust frameworks

- Third-party risk assessment

- Data privacy (GDPR, CCPA, DORA)

- Penetration testing with regulatory alignment

- Business continuity and disaster recovery planning 

- Bonus: Experience working with AI or automation tools to streamline compliance workflows is also a rising trend.

What Makes a Cyber Security Leader in FinTech?

If you’re aiming for senior positions—CISO, Head of IT Risk, or Director of InfoSec—technical brilliance alone isn’t enough.

You’ll also need to demonstrate:

- Strategic thinking across business units

- The ability to influence board-level decision-making

- Budget management and vendor selection experience

- A history of maturing a firm’s risk posture

- Thought leadership—speaking at events, publishing insights, or mentoring junior staff

- Leadership in cyber isn’t just about protecting assets. It’s about protecting the business while enabling growth.

- Audit-Readiness Is a Career Advantage

Audit isn’t just a company issue—it’s a personal brand opportunity. When you can say you’ve helped an organisation pass a difficult audit, secure funding, or recover from a risk incident, you’re not just a candidate. You’re a competitive differentiator.

That’s why Harrington Starr has made it our mission to match the most audit-ready professionals with the FinTechs that need them.

How Harrington Starr Can Help You

We’re not generalist recruiters. We’re FinTech specialists with deep networks in cyber security and IT risk.

When you work with us, you get:

- Access to exclusive roles before they go to market

- Insights into what hiring managers are really looking for

- Honest feedback to sharpen your CV and interview approach

- Support whether you want to contract or go perm

We understand what’s happening in the market right now, from day rate trends in New York to permanent salaries in Belfast. Our consultants work directly with some of the most exciting FinTechs in the world, many of whom are building teams quietly—before competitors know the role even exists.

Whether you’re looking for your next contract in New York, a permanent role in London, or a new challenge in Belfast—we know how to position your skills where they’ll make the most impact.

Ready to Stand Out in Cyber Security?

You’ve built the skills. You’ve proven the impact. Now it’s time to find the role where it matters most.

Let’s make your next move audit-proof, high-impact, and career-defining.