How can you build a reputation as a problem solver in Cybersecurity?

It is important to be aware of a potential pitfall that, in building a reputation as a problem solver, could hinder long-term career success. Becoming the team “expert” at solving a specific problem comes with immediate benefits, but over time it can also sideline your energy, creativity, and career prospects. Being knowns as the “fixer” has its benefits but also its hang ups. Flipping the situation on end to focus on how to coach rather than direct, how to teach rather than simply demonstrate, and how to empower rather than just solve problems for others will help create and define your true value which in turn and over time establishes the reputation you really want to earn.

Building a reputation as a cybersecurity problem solver requires continuous learning, certifications (e.g., CISSP, CEH), critical thinking, and ethical hacking skills. Network, share experiences, and engage with the community. Embrace a problem-solving mindset, adhere to ethical standards, and deliver results consistently.

Whether you’re dealing with solving a cybersecurity, IT, or general problem the best way is to be a peel back the onion type of a problem solver. When dealing with solving any problem, I attack the issue no different except how deep I need to go. It starts with understanding what happened (leaving absolutely no details out) and how it worked before. The goal is to decipher between what’s real and what’s not. As you start filtering out the false positives it should uncover a pattern. But you don’t stop there, you must question everything in order to get to the core of the problem. Once you have that full understanding, it is time to put it to the test. If your solution works you did it and if it doesn’t, you start over until you get it!

Tackling real world problems successfully is how you demonstrate problem solving abilities. Properly hardening servers or added hardening. Increasing visibility in network and endpoint security to better detect what is going on in the network. Implementing encryption where needed. Anticipate changes that need to be made and obtain budgets for projects that substantially reduce risk.

Being able to explain security requirements to people who haven't been made to adhere to them for several years can go a long way. Explaining to, say, engineers why they can't just have an unchecked connection to the outside internet on a govt system without several mitigations and preventative measures in place can make a big difference in getting less push back from management. Being then able to explain to a budget analyst why an expense on certain equipment is worth the investment in the long run shows you can understand problems from the view point of multiple disciplines and can work across boundaries between groups to get things done that benefit everyone in the end.

If you have never performed a Pen-Test in your organization, before jumping ahead to find a provider that is ready to deliver a final report with several findings that leave you frozen and desperate, stop for a minute. First think. What are my critical business functions (the ones I depend to get my Organization's revenue)? What IT/OT systems support these (a.k.a. crown jewels)? What is their exposition to my particular environment (are they exposed to the internet, do I have restricted/controlled access to them)? Can I prioritize them in terms of these variables? If so, you got your scope defined. Now insure that your Pen-Test results are realistic, enforceable, prioritized and commit your entire Team to it. Good Job!

It could help while volunteering or mentoring to share some of these accomplishments, and make them verifiable. Responding to others' posts can also help, as can contributing to collaborative articles on social media platforms.

I have been writing blogs for about a year or so now, and it has been the best thing I have ever done as my knowledge has massively increased, I have started to build a community, and I am always up to date with the latest trends. Especially in cybersecurity. The same way cybercriminals gang up to attack businesses, we need to get together as well as Defenders to stop the bad guys. If you are good at something, I encourage you to share with others what you know. I promise you, this is not only rewarding but will help you to develop your skills even further.

Participate in Audits and learn how to build up a convincing security narrative for your area, by providing hard evidences that show how you're covering every sensitive query item. Doing that a few times raises your own expectations of what needs to be provided/shared as evidence for legal & business compliance.

Sharing solutions is key - there are a lot of people out there doing great things, but they don't want to talk about it. If you are solving big, complex problems, then you are actually giving back to the community by sharing what you've learned. Don't be apprehensive about tooting your own horn a bit.

Sharing is caring goes beyond a mere act of kindness; it's a philosophy that drives collective growth, especially in the era of digital learning. With the vast expanse of free content available on platforms like YouTube and various blogs, individuals have access to a treasure trove of knowledge. But the true magic unfolds when this acquired knowledge is shared. Whether explaining a concept to a colleague, writing an article, or blogging about a newfound skill, the act of sharing not only benefits the recipient but also reinforces and strengthens the giver's understanding. In essence, sharing becomes a two-fold process of teaching and self-reflection, underscoring that when we care to share, we invariably deepen our own grasp of the subject.

No one exists on this planet that knows and can explain everything. You can't be an authority on every topic. By learning from others, you can refer others to them when they ask you to solve something that is beyond your capability. Such references are, effect, the mark of a successful mentor.

The essence of true wisdom lies in consulting individuals who have traversed the entire problem-solving lifecycle, absorbing both the successes and challenges. It is imperative to transcend mere academic insights and delve into the practicalities of real-world application. Engage with experienced cybersecurity experts through diverse mediums – books, articles, videos, and communities. Seek hands-on insights and advice from peers who've faced similar challenges. This practical immersion surpasses traditional academic limits, cultivating a robust, adaptable problem-solving approach grounded in real-world experiences and collective wisdom.

In the battle against cybercrime, a reluctance to share cyber attack experiences stems from a fear of admitting vulnerability. Fueled by concerns of reputational damage, businesses often find themselves unfairly on the defensive. Is it not time to shift from blame to empowerment. 1. By openly acknowledging cyber threats we build a culture of collective resilience. 2. By sharing cyber incident details we provide valuable insights, accelerating the evolution of effective cybersecurity strategies. So why not collectivlly transform together and rebalance the power dynamic. I envision a business world where transparency and shared knowledge empower. Cybersecurity is about learning and fortifying collectively, not blame. ????

Desarrollar una sólida imagen como experto en seguridad informática implica un compromiso constante con la educación informática, además de tener en su mano credenciales de suman importancia en el ciberespacio. Es fundamental cultivar el pensamiento analítico. La interacción y el intercambio de conocimientos con otros profesionales del campo son esenciales. Es crucial abordar desafíos con un enfoque orientado a soluciones, mantener un comportamiento ético y proporcionar soluciones efectivas de manera regular.

It helps to seek feedback from a wide variety of audiences, and not only from those who might tickle the ears. Having such feedback from candid sources could highlight areas that need further improvements. And, if you receive praises, good for you!

You may have some experience solving problems, you may be confident and your solution probably work for you. But in application of the solution; you'd definitely need the recognition of the problem's stakeholder. One way to increase reputation is by building visibility. In turn, seeking feedback of others regardless of background or their knowledge in the subject will greatly effect in getting others to be aware of the problem you are trying to solve and the design of your solution. Besides, no one is perfect, you may even gain some insights of possible side-effects of your solution affecting someone else with a different perspective.

While I do believe that seeking feedback is important, I think its equally important to incorporate that feedback into your solutions. When your colleagues and peers take the time to give you their thoughts consider it a gift and treat it accordingly or risk having them not give feedback in the future.

Post incident meetings are key to improvement. Involve internal customers, management, production, operations, etc. - Avoid the blaming game. Draft an agenda for the meeting, go thru the technical facts of the incident. Save a 1/3 of the meeting time for an open table discussion of the incident, open the talk saying in 45 seconds or less what when well, then what went wrong... and open the conversation to the rest. Mostly the major danger of the open table part is failing for the blaming game, cut it and call it out. Remind everyone that everyone is there to improve the incident response. - listen more than you talk in this part.

In cybersecurity, your portfolio is your shield. I think that seeking feedback is your secret weapon. ?? Here's why: 1. Feedback audits your defense tactics, ensuring alignment with evolving threats and industry standards. 2. It pinplings vulnerabilities, enhancing your portfolio's resilience and addressing potential blind spots. 3. Insights from feedback help tailor solutions to client needs, building trust and showcasing relevance. 4. It ensureS your portfolio evolves with the dynamic cybersecurity landscape, reflecting adaptability. So embrace feedback for ongoing enhancement, keeping your portfolio at the forefront. Almost treat feedback like an incident response plan, addressing identified issues.

Think outside the box. Create imaginary scenarios. Find out what's new in the cybersecurity space, what's looming in the horizon, how it might affect the cybersecurity practice, and how to respond to it.

Curiosity is the backbone of innovative problem-solving in cybersecurity. It's more than just tackling current issues; it's about foreseeing potential ones. By embracing a curious mindset, we not only adapt to new tech trends but also preemptively address emerging threats. Delving into uncharted domains, experimenting with new tools, and participating in knowledge exchanges are vital. Every groundbreaking solution starts with a simple question, so keep probing and innovating. Moreover, in an ever-evolving digital landscape, it's our insatiable curiosity that keeps us a step ahead, ensuring we're not just reacting to threats, but proactively shaping a safer cyber future. That's also what the guys on the other side do.

Being curious doesn't imply a lack of discipline; on the contrary, it demands the resolve to continuously seek solutions. It involves matching innovation and technology to new challenges. A problem solver, fueled by curiosity, diligently explores new problems, embraces evolving technologies, and stays abreast of cybersecurity trends. This commitment to curiosity cultivates problem-solving skills, encouraging the pursuit of knowledge through exploration of diverse domains, tools, and frameworks. Stepping outside one's comfort zone, engaging in challenging projects, and participating in educational events further exemplify the disciplined curiosity required to navigate the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity.

Embracing curiosity is essential for improving problem-solving skills. Explore different domains, tools, and challenges to step outside your comfort zone. Attend webinars and conferences to stay updated with the latest developments, fostering creativity, expanding your knowledge, and unlocking new possibilities in the field.

If you have the opportunity, get your team's hands dirty. Deploy old hardware/trial software inside a controlled environment (lab) and put blue team to recreate a confined production-like scenario: services, hosts, technologies. Then play blue/red games. Draw random teams each time, so no one gets too comfortable. Curiosity it's just the first part, you need to complement with actions.

Prioritize integrity, ensuring that your solutions prioritize privacy and legality. Engage in responsible disclosure when identifying vulnerabilities and contribute to the community's well-being. Stay informed about ethical guidelines and legal frameworks, aligning your practices accordingly. Foster a culture of transparency by openly sharing your methodologies and adhering to industry best practices. Demonstrate a commitment to ethical hacking principles, emphasizing the importance of security without compromising ethical standards.

Also, give credit to the creditworthy. Many professionals in Cybersecurity know a lot of people who have contributed immensely to the practice. So, when presenting, and you have to make reference to these ones, avoid plagiarism.

Commitment to ethics is pivotal for driving the future evolution of cybersecurity, ensuring it remains trustworthy in an interconnected world.

Maintaining ethics is integral for a problem solver's reputation, as per my observation. Adhering to professional, legal, and regulatory standards while respecting the privacy and rights of clients and stakeholders is must. To illustrate, in recent news, whistleblowers in the tech industry who reported unethical practices earned respect for their commitment to ethical principles, ultimately making positive change. Similarly, healthcare professionals who ensured patient data privacy during the pandemic demonstrated ethical behavior, garnering trust and credibility within their communities, reinforcing the value of ethics in my perspective as well.

The world of cybersecurity is tricky. It's filled with "problem solvers" and "fixes", but what stands out to me when we are talking about building a reputation as a problem solver, you have to be flexible in your solution and open to new ideas. There is rarely a single answer to issues of cybersecurity. That's why the industry is so flooded with MSSPs, cyber solutions companies, and software engineers. To truly stand out as a problem solver, you have to be a team player and solve problems holistically and with others.

Share credit. Share visibility. Bring others with you. Showcase their contributions. Don't try to be the smartest person in every room. That would be impossible. Instead be the person people are excited to see because they can't wait to solve problems with you. Security is a team sport.

Individuals who truly stand out possess a blend of technical expertise, underscored by recognized certifications, and an insatiable drive for continuous learning in the face of rapidly evolving threats. Beyond mastering tools and techniques, it's their ability to think outside the box that differentiates them. Anticipating rather than just reacting, creatively devising efficient solutions, and adapting swiftly to new technologies and methodologies. Balancing soft skills, such as clear communication and ethical integrity, with hands-on experience, these individuals not only prevent attacks but also construct resilient systems for the future.

To really stand out in cybersecurity, you've got to always be curious and ready to learn. With tech and threats always changing, staying updated is key. It's also super important to work well with others, be ready to adapt, and explain complex stuff in simple terms so everyone gets it. In short, to be the go-to problem solver, you've got to combine knowledge, teamwork, flexibility, and clear communication.

1. Master the fundamentals 2. Certifications 3. Stay current 4. Connect with people, attend events, conferences. 5. Contribute to cyber security community