What do you do if your cybersecurity problem-solving skills need a boost?

In my opinion, taking a honest look at your current cybersecurity knowledge and abilities is the first step to improvement, identifying areas where you feel less confident or have struggled in the past helps pinpoint gaps in understanding, and seeking targeted resources and training can address those weaknesses. I believe it's essential to remember that cybersecurity is a vast field and no one is an expert in everything, so focusing on developing skills that benefit your role or interests is key to growth and becoming proficient in cybersecurity.

The field of security is vast and can be overwhelming. Balancing your day-to-day work while enhancing your skill set can be challenging. What I’ve found particularly helpful is identifying your own career trajectory and focusing on upskilling based on what’s required for your next ideal role. While being a jack of all trades has its advantages, becoming a subject matter expert in one domain holds more value and increases your credibility in the highly competitive world of very talented security professionals.

Asking yourself the right questions is key. When wanting to boost your skills, you should always ask: - What kind of skills do I want to acquire? (goal) - What skills do I have? (where am I now?) - What is the gap between the skills I want and the skills i have? (foundation for creating a roadmap) Begin there, and additional questions you must answer will naturally appear.

To assess your cybersecurity skills, reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Identify areas where you're less confident or have struggled, such as network security, cryptography, or incident response. This self-awareness allows you to target specific gaps in your knowledge and pursue focused learning. Keep in mind that cybersecurity is broad, so prioritize developing skills relevant to your role or goals.

To enhance your cybersecurity problem-solving skills through risk assessment, stay updated with the latest trends and threats, and pursue advanced courses and certifications. Engage in hands-on practice through labs and Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges, and familiarize yourself with frameworks like NIST and ISO 27001. Conduct regular threat modeling and scenario analysis to identify potential risks. Network with industry experts, join forums, and attend conferences to exchange knowledge and experiences. Finally, document incidents meticulously to identify patterns and continuously improve your response strategies.

You can't know if you're moving forward without knowing what "forward" is. In my experience, the first step you should take is to figure out what you're trying to accomplish. In my case, it's mostly been technical work oriented towards defense, specifically DFIR. Once I figured that out, all I had to do was put in the work: read the books, watch the YouTube videos, take the certifications. I started from the very basics of cybersecurity, doing all the above. But regardless of where you are on your learning path, it's always the same process: pick a skill, start from the bottom, put in the time, and work your way up.

When your cybersecurity problem-solving skills need a boost: Seek Training: Attend workshops, webinars, and courses. Stay updated on emerging threats, tools, and techniques. Continuous learning sharpens your skills.

Cross-train. Some of the hardest cybersecurity and leadership challenges I've faced have not been solved using "straight forward" tactics but rather intersectional or tangential disciplines. Study philosophy, history and the arts to get a greater understanding of how to change the very foundations of the way you see the world. Having multiple vantage points by which to evaluate a challenge will yield multiple opportunities!

To improve in cybersecurity, it's essential to assess your current knowledge and skills. Ask yourself: What are your responsibilities and roles? What areas of cybersecurity do you work with or have experience with? What resources do you use for learning and staying up-to-date? Where have you encountered difficulties or felt uncertain in the past? What areas of cybersecurity are you interested in learning more about? Reflecting on these questions can help you identify areas where you need improvement, such as: Additional training or resources for technical skills Specialized resources or certifications for developing skills Guidance from a colleague or mentor for implementing new security tools or technologies

Make it fun! Our company has an annual Hackathon which makes things a bit more fun and definitely improves our skills too. A lot of cybersecurity professionals found their passion for cybersecurity through their interest in hacking - it's always good to bring that interest and passion to the forefront when possible.

Gain practical experience by setting up a virtual lab with VMs or a sandbox to safely practice your cybersecurity skills. Simulate attacks, test security measures, and experiment with scenarios to strengthen your problem-solving abilities. Hands-on practice is essential for building confidence and improving threat detection and mitigation skills.

Use simple, clear language and avoid technical jargon when communicating with non-technical stakeholders. This can help ensure that everyone understands the importance and implications of cybersecurity issues. Use real-world examples and analogies to illustrate complex concepts. This can help stakeholders better understand the potential risks and impacts of cybersecurity threats. Tailor your communication style to your audience. For example, when communicating with executives, focus on the strategic and financial implications of cybersecurity issues. When communicating with employees, focus on practical steps they can take to stay safe online.

Hands-on experience is crucial in cybersecurity for: Solidifying theoretical knowledge Developing problem-solving skills Gaining confidence in mitigating security threats Virtual Lab or Sandbox: Ideal Environment Uses virtual machines to create isolated environments Mimics real-world scenarios Reduces risk of damaging real systems Increases flexibility in testing different scenarios Improves understanding of security decisions Enhances analytical and problem-solving skills Benefits of Practicing Improves ability to identify and mitigate security threats Develops skills in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and incident response Stays up-to-date with latest security threats and technologies

There is a combination of training and networking you should always include when developing yourself: seeking out a mentor. With a mentor, you can acquire a deeper understanding of different topics, by listening to someone with years of experience in what works and what doesn't. Additionally, a mentor can put you in touch with additional people you should network with to continuously learn and develop problem-solving skills (and of course other skills).

Engage with the cybersecurity community through conferences, webinars, and local meetups to connect with industry professionals and experts. Join online forums, LinkedIn groups, and cybersecurity communities to exchange ideas and insights. Participate in discussion groups and follow thought leaders to stay updated on emerging threats and solutions. Seek mentorship from experienced professionals who can provide guidance and share practical problem-solving strategies. Collaborate with peers on projects or challenges to gain diverse perspectives and approaches. By building a broad network, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge, real-world experiences, and problem-solving techniques that can enhance your skills.

Networking is not just about expanding your contacts; it's about building a community of diverse perspectives. I make it a point to connect with professionals outside my immediate area of expertise. For instance, I engage with experts in adjacent fields like data privacy or software development, which often provides fresh insights into tackling cybersecurity problems. This cross-disciplinary exchange enriches my approach to problem-solving by integrating new viewpoints that I might not have considered otherwise.

Connect with professionals: Build relationships with other cybersecurity professionals through online communities, conferences, and professional organizations. Join forums and discussion groups: Participate in online forums and discussions to share knowledge, ask questions, and learn from others.

Network widely by joining the cybersecurity community through conferences, forums, and online groups. Engaging with peers offers new insights, strategies, and opportunities for collaboration or mentorship. The collective knowledge of the community is a valuable resource for improving your skills and staying updated.

Follow industry news: Keep up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity threats, trends, and best practices by following industry news sources and blogs. Attend webinars and conferences: Participate in webinars and conferences to learn about emerging technologies and trends

To sharpen my problem-solving skills in cybersecurity, I continuously immerse myself in the latest industry developments. Staying updated through cybersecurity blogs, industry news, and detailed analyses of recent cyber incidents is crucial. This constant learning helps me anticipate potential issues and devise effective strategies. Understanding how other professionals handle threats allows me to refine my approach, ensuring I can tackle the complex challenges that arise in this dynamic field effectively.

With respect to staying up to date I strongly recommend following relevant cyber security experts and spaces in various social platforms from Linkedin to X these professionals normally share their experiences,advice and skills they use in their day to day activities hence you may be informed if some of them share latest technologies and skill sets.

Staying updated in cybersecurity is essential to maintaining strong problem-solving skills. I regularly follow industry news and subscribe to leading cybersecurity blogs to stay informed about emerging threats and trends. Analyzing recent cyber incidents is a key part of my routine, as it helps me understand real-world applications of security strategies. By continually refreshing my knowledge, I’m able to anticipate challenges and adapt my approach, ensuring that I can effectively address the dynamic nature of cybersecurity threats

Stay updated by following cybersecurity news, blogs, and analyzing recent incidents. Keeping informed about the latest threats and trends allows you to anticipate issues and improve your problem-solving skills. Continuous learning is crucial in staying ahead in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.

Stay creative! Reflect. Journal. Go for a walk. Carve wood. Draw. Paint an RGP mini. Jam out to your favourite tunes. Whatever it takes- but sometimes solving problems means stepping away from them, mentally, for a moment.

"Feedback is what champions eat for breakfast." I don't recall who said this, but it has had a lasting impression on my leadership development. All feedback is valuable and the fact someone wants to take the time to provide it means they value you. With this, having a "growth" mindset has been incredibly helpful in understanding where my opportunities to improve are present. A core element of Emotional Intelligence is "self reflection" and "self awareness." Both of these are crucial in understanding ourselves, our motivations and our behaviors, but a word of caution, don't let self reflection devolve into rumination. Rumination is the act of criticizing yourself over and over for past errors, mistakes or regrets.

Regular reflection on resolved cybersecurity issues is a core part of my professional routine. After each challenge, I take the time to assess both the successes and the areas needing improvement. This practice not only enhances my problem-solving skills but also contributes to my ongoing professional development. I make it a point to document these insights, which proves invaluable for addressing similar challenges in the future. This methodical reflection ensures that with each issue tackled, my approach becomes more refined and effective.

Skill in cyber security tend to suffer from two components we need to pay attention to; 1. Frequency - the concept "if you don't use it you loose it" 2. Relative erosion - cyber shifts on a daily basis and our skills need to keep up The antidote? LEARNING... Isn't that one of the joys of cyber security? But how do we enable that? Regular reflection is important. As I sit here and write this its 05:20 in my locale and I was up much earlier motivated to learn. I try to do this most days and use the quiet time of the day that would otherwise be interrupted. Such regular learning involves reflection and looking back at what I have learned. I also cast forward and try to journal / think to the future too. Set, reflect, repeat.

Be self aware. Know your limitations, know where you've missed the mark and make sure next time you don't miss. You're only as good as the last time you did something. Take feedback, document it, obssess over improvement in a healthy way. This is how you truly succeed. Knowledge and experience is a knife that you sharpen regularly and keep clean. How much you know and how effective you are is entirely within your control. It's not often in your life that you get to say that.