Cybersecurity professionals are struggling to get promoted. What's the one thing they're overlooking?

Communicating value. Value isn't WHAT you do and HOW you do it. It's WHY you do it. Why should cyber security be a board-level concern? Why are your skills needed in the business? Why is your strategy best? Detailing the tasks we perform (What) and the methodologies we employ (How) is the easy part. Note- You still need to be really good at your job. If you are really good at you job, you document you work, and you communicate value but still aren't getting promoted. It's time to look for a new job.

It seems that security professionals may be neglecting the importance of interpersonal communication. It is crucial for them to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, superiors, and clients, as well as to convey information about security in an accessible and understandable manner. Communication is essential for building relationships and conveying the importance of security practices.

Cybersecurity threats are complex, but translating them into clear, actionable information for non-technical leadership is vital. Articulating your work's impact on the organization's security posture and bottom line demonstrates your value and positions you for leadership roles.

Muchas veces nos centramos en entender cómo funcionan las cosas pero no tanto en cómo explicarlas a una persona no especialista. Como toda profesión, tenemos nuestra propia jerga que nos permite comunicarnos entre nosotros, pero a la vez supone una barrera para aquellas personas fuera de nuestro sector.

- Benefits realisation and value realisation ( business need to see the role is creating value and the benefits of having the role and the necessity to promote the role , increased value to business ). - Clear and concise communication ( using analogies to explain and abstraction of Tech and communicating in the language which other or all Execs understand ).

Many cybersecurity professionals overlook the importance of business acumen. To advance their careers, they need to shift their focus beyond technical skills and see the bigger picture. Cyber pros must understand how their work contributes to overall business goals and how security functions as a business enabler rather than an obstacle. Essentially, this involves translating complex technical risks into clear business terms that non-technical executives can understand and relate to, facilitating better communication and strategic decision-making.

Business acumen equips cybersecurity professionals with the ability to translate technical security measures into business terms, showcasing their value to decision-makers. Understanding organizational goals helps them prioritize security initiatives that align with strategic objectives, demonstrating their contribution to the company's success. With effective communication skills, they can articulate the financial and reputational risks of cyber threats, garnering support for necessary security investments. Additionally, their capacity to navigate regulatory requirements and allocate resources efficiently positions them as valuable strategic assets, making them more likely candidates for promotion within the organization.

Cybersecurity professionals often overlook the business impact of their work. While technical skills are crucial, understanding how security aligns with broader business goals and contributes to the bottom line is equally important for career advancement. By demonstrating a strong understanding of business objectives and translating technical risks into business impacts, cybersecurity professionals can position themselves as strategic partners rather than just technical experts.

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning, whether through certifications, conferences, or internal training programs, showcases your dedication and positions you as someone who can adapt and thrive in a dynamic environment.

In the dynamic field of cybersecurity, the pursuit of continuous learning is paramount. Staying abreast of evolving trends, emerging technologies, and the ever-shifting threat landscape is essential to maintaining and enhancing one's skill set. This involves not only assimilating new knowledge but also actively seeking feedback, learning from setbacks, and embracing novel challenges and opportunities with enthusiasm.

Besides performing the cybersecurity tasks, Cybersecurity teams have the opportunity play the role of business enablers by i) proactively identifying risks in key processes and systems, ii) analysing the impact on various parameters including organizational objectives, strategies, service delivery, service levels, stakeholders etc, iii) identifying mitigating controls and metrics to measure the same, iv) communicating and imparting awareness on the implementaion of those controls and metrics to all stakeholders. Further, Cybersecurity teams need to be aware of all key processes of the Organizations like Project Management, Software Development Life Cycle, etc, this would facilitate collaboration work.

Learn to work with data and become a data engineer. Start with SQL and python. Threat hunting skills plus data skills is powerful.

The development of solid communication abilities is something cybersecurity pros may overlook in their quest for promotion. Expertise in technical areas is vital, but the capacity to work well with diverse groups is equally vital. Tech, legal, compliance, and business teams are often involved in cybersecurity issues. Leadership potential and promotion opportunities are more likely to be demonstrated by professionals who can communicate complex concepts and build consensus. Therefore, honing collaboration skills alongside technical proficiency can significantly enhance career advancement prospects in cybersecurity.

In the cybersecurity domain, professional development extends beyond mere job performance, encompassing career progression and personal growth. It's imperative to have a well-defined understanding of your career aspirations and a strategic plan to realize them. This journey involves a deep self-assessment to pinpoint your strengths and areas for improvement.

Building relationships within your organization and the broader cybersecurity community creates opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and visibility. Strong networks can open doors to new projects, leadership opportunities, and ultimately, promotions.

En mi peque?a experiencia, considero que los especialistas de ciberseguridad deberian trabajar en conjunto con los administradores de red, para que existan en las redes la menor cantidad de vulnerabilidades. Deberia tambien existir un poco mas de comunicacion con los desarrolladores, para que en el desarrollo de aplicaciones existan menos vulnerabilidades en el futuro. Si los especialistas de ciberseguridad los integraran mas en los procesos de las empresas. Puede ser que los riegos disminuyan en un gran por ciento en el presente y el futuro.