You're navigating the world of network security. How do you decide which new skills to prioritize?

To properly prepare for cyber incidents, you must clearly understand your business needs and the infrastructure that supports them...where is your data held? What software are you running? Is everything patched and maintained? Is the proper training in place for staff? As a CISO, staying in a state of proactive awareness is a must, given the evolving landscape of cyber security concerns. The best cybersecurity programs integrate advanced threat detection, real-time monitoring, robust encryption, regular audits, and employee training to ensure comprehensive protection against evolving cyber threats.

To prioritize new skills in network security, start by evaluating current industry trends and emerging threats, such as advancements in cloud security or AI-driven attacks. Assess your existing skill set to identify gaps and align learning with your career goals or organizational needs. Consult job market demands and seek input from peers or mentors to pinpoint valuable skills. Finally, choose certifications and hands-on experiences that offer practical, up-to-date knowledge to stay ahead in the field.

To ensure robust network security, several key needs must be addressed, including a strong foundation in network architecture and protocols like TCP/IP, understanding encryption methods such as SSL/TLS to protect data in transit, familiarity with network devices like routers, switches, and firewalls to segment and secure the network, and staying up-to-date with emerging threats and technologies to maintain ongoing security.

Just like with any other security topics, knowing the technology itself is mandatory. So, the basics of networking should be the priority. Next, you can start learning how to hack the network. The important part is "not to become a script kiddie." You can learn how to use tools, but you need to understand how those tools work. For example, many people do not know how nmap works for UDP. Follow the MITRE ATT&CK to understand the attack flow and each techniques. Once you know how to hack the network, you can start learning about countermeasures and mitigations. Lastly, you may need to learn about risk management and prioritization, which can be a little boring but is important for the organizations.

Through experience, I've learned that staying current with the evolving threat landscape is crucial, and by immersing myself in the latest cyberattacks, such as ransomware, phishing, and APTs, and understanding the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by adversaries, I've developed a proactive approach to defense and incident response, allowing me to anticipate and prepare for potential security breaches.

The threat landscape in network security is constantly evolving, making it crucial for organizations to prioritize their security efforts. By conducting thorough assessments and identifying potential vulnerabilities, organizations can prioritize their security initiatives based on the inherent risks they face. Critical assets, such as sensitive data and systems, should receive the highest level of protection. Additionally, emerging threats and attack vectors should be closely monitored and addressed promptly. Regular updates and patches should be implemented to mitigate known vulnerabilities and prevent unauthorized access. Continuous monitoring and logging of network activity can help detect and respond to potential threats in real-time.

The threat landscape in network security evolves constantly, making it imperative to stay updated on the latest cyberattacks. Ransomware, phishing, and advanced persistent threats (APTs) represent some of the most prevalent risks. To stay ahead, focus on learning about the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by attackers, such as lateral movement and privilege escalation. Regularly participating in threat intelligence platforms and subscribing to industry reports can help anticipate new attack vectors and improve your incident response capabilities. Proactively addressing these threats not only enhances your defense strategies but also demonstrates your ability to foresee and mitigate potential breaches before they occur.

Staying informed about the latest types of cyberattacks, such as ransomware, phishing, and advanced persistent threats (APTs), is crucial. Understanding adversaries' tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) enables you to anticipate and prepare for potential security breaches. During my time at TIAA, I frequently encountered emerging threats, which pushed me to stay updated on the latest trends, helping to create proactive defense strategies and incident response plans.

The most critical skill in network security is risk management, which involves identifying vulnerabilities through risk assessments and prioritizing mitigation efforts to minimize potential impact, ensuring a comprehensive security framework that balances technical, policy, and compliance considerations with business needs to protect the organization from significant threats.

Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! Not all risks are equal, and some vulnerabilities, if exploited, can lead to substantial financial loss, reputational harm, or operational disruption. It's critical to develop the skill of identifying and focusing on these high-impact risks. This means addressing both technical vulnerabilities, like unpatched software and weak network configurations, and non-technical risks, such as inadequate security policies and low user awareness. By prioritizing effectively, you strike the right balance between business value and security, keeping your approach grounded in realism.

In risk management, new skills are prioritized based on their relevance to current and emerging risks, business needs, and regulatory requirements. Key factors include potential impact on risk mitigation, technological advancements, and industry trends. Regular risk assessments and gap analysis help identify critical skills needed to address vulnerabilities and enhance risk controls effectively.

Risk mitigation focuses the strategy and helps develop the road map. It also helps senior management and wider stakeholders understand and engage.

La ma?trise des outils de sécurité représente une compétence incontournable pour protéger les réseaux. Pour exemple , se concentrer sur des outils tels que les IDS/IPS et les plateformes SIEM qui offrent une vue centralisée des menaces en temps réel. N'oublions pas la capacité à ajuster ces outils selon les besoins spécifiques du réseau qui renforce considérablement la défense. En complément , développer une expertise dans l’analyse des journaux et l’automatisation des réponses aux incidents peut améliorer l'efficacité. Enfin, comprendre les bases du développement sécurisé permet de mieux identifier et corriger les failles à la source.

An example that I introduced my team was using zeek as a protocol analyser. In that way we can understand our network design completely. That's bring us a lot of experience to gain network security knowledge. Using wireshark is another tool that was helpful in boosting network security knowledge.

From my experience the security tools is crucial for a strong cybersecurity defense. These tools protect digital assets by ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. They are designed to address various threats such as malware, unauthorized access, and data breaches. Effective use of security tools enables proactive threat detection, vulnerability mitigation, and comprehensive protection against evolving cyber risks. Implementing a multi-layered defense strategy with advanced and integrated tools enhances an organization's security posture and resilience against sophisticated threats.

While Network is a critical aspect of the communication, security also plays a equal role in safeguarding the network and organization. The current modern sophisticated threats, clearly state that it is vital to understand and configure various security concepts and solution across each area of Identify, protect, Detect, Respond and Recover to handle and remediate a threat/attack with less impact. Few important network security solutions/concepts which plays a major role includes but not limited to Zero trust Framework, NAC, IPD/IDS, Firewall, Anti-DDoS, SSL/TLS Encryption, VPN etc

Once you’ve mastered core networking skills, your next focus should be on capturing and analyzing network telemetry and metadata. Why? Because the network doesn’t lie. While hackers can manipulate logs and erase traces from endpoints, it’s much more difficult to erase traces from the network itself. If you’re fortunate enough to have a commercial off-the-shelf tool, great, use it! But if you are on low-budget, go for Zeek. How much does this brilliant tool cost? It’s completely FREE!

One thing I have found helpful is looking to the organizations that create the frameworks we use to see what they are recommending in the way of guidance. For instance, the International Organization of Standardization, or ISO, has come up with standard 42001 that gives guidance on how to deploy AI in a responsible manner in your network environment.

In current scenario perimeter is not only the traditional on premise and it has evolved to multi Cloud and hybrid environments. Hence to stay ahead of network threats, it is crucial to stay updated on latest trends and technologies such as Zero Trust (Model replaced the traditional perimeter model), Cloud security, SASE, and AI/ML which plays a critical role in detecting anomalies/malicious behavior through online courses, practical scenarios in lab environments, attending industry experts sessions, Social media platforms for professionals etc

To prioritize cybersecurity efforts effectively, it is crucial to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies. One key trend that has emerged is the rise of Zero Trust security. Zero Trust assumes that no user or device can be trusted and verifies every connection attempt. Another trend is the increased use of machine learning and artificial intelligence for threat detection and response. Additionally, the use of multi-factor authentication and encryption techniques has become essential to ensure secure access to networks and data. By prioritizing these cybersecurity trends, organizations can strengthen their network security posture and mitigate potential risks.

Keeping up with cybersecurity trends, such as AI, machine learning, and cloud security, is vital for long-term relevance in the field. As more organizations shift to cloud environments, skills in cloud security are increasingly in demand. At McGill University, I gained hands-on experience with cloud access management, which prepared me for these emerging trends. Focusing on AI, ML, and cloud security can provide a competitive edge and future-proof your skills in network security.

Staying informed about emerging cybersecurity trends is essential for long-term success in the field. The rise of Zero Trust architecture, which assumes that no user or device should be trusted without verification, is becoming a gold standard for network security. Likewise, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into threat detection systems is transforming how organizations handle threats. Cloud security has also gained prominence as businesses increasingly migrate to cloud environments. By keeping abreast of these trends and integrating them into your security practices, you position yourself at the cutting edge of the industry and prepare for the future of cybersecurity.

Beyond just helping with communication, soft skills in network security are essential for strategic success. Developing a relationship with non-technical stakeholders enables you to promote security investments and implant the idea that security comes first throughout the entire company. In addition to technical skills, calmness and critical thinking are necessary for effective problem-solving during breaches. Effective collaboration guarantees the integration of security measures throughout all divisions, resulting in a more comprehensive defensive approach. By developing these abilities, you can enhance your technical proficiency and develop into a well-rounded professional who can lead in challenging settings.

In network security, technical acumen must be complemented by strong soft skills. Effective communication is essential for explaining complex security concept to non-technical stakeholders and ensuring buy-in for security initiatives across the organization. Problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking are invaluable during incident response, where calm decision-making under pressure can mean the difference between success and failure. Develop a security culture within the organization by fostering teamwork and promoting security-first thinking will lead to a more resilient security posture. Investing in your soft skills enhances your ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage security projects with greater strategic impact.

Unlike most of the IT back office jobs, security requires a lot of communication with other stakeholders and end users. You need to make sure you deliver your message effectively to all those involved. Make sure you sharpen your communication skills.