Humble Pie

Humble Pie. No, not the 1960s Essex, UK-based rock band.

I am speaking of the figurative pastry that we sometimes find ourselves eating a big 'ol slice of. For me, it was due to my recent post about a job role that I had seen advertised. I was judgemental that this organization should DARE post a pro-rata, part-time, Head of Information Security position. GASP! I declared, in my most hoity-toity (not sure I spelled this right? Grammarly says "yes") tone that this was PROOF that this organization did not CARE about security, or they would be hiring a full-time employee! I then proceeded to add to my tone-deafness by miscategorizing the position as C-level (derp).

Within minutes of posting, my amazing friends, colleagues, and community started telling me (and rightly so) that I was WRONG. Kawika, Steven, Rowan, Tim and many others pointed out that if we look at the positives, this organization is moving in the right direction. Maybe they can't afford a full-time head of infosec? Perhaps they want to dip their toe in the waters of cybersecurity before jumping right in? And in what world, Keith, is a HOF = CXO? Damn, if I didn't really screw up royally.

The truth of the matter is THAT everyone who gave me hell is one of the primary reasons why I love our industry. Whilst they will call you out in seconds for your bull$hit they will also do it with compassion, support, and intellect. I learned MANY years ago as a 21-year-old E4 in the USAF that you can't always be right, and when you are wrong you own it. You learn from it. And you thank those around you for having the guts to keep you honest.

We see this same compassion (in most cases) for our sisters and brothers in security who recently have experienced an incident on the job, knowing they likely have been doing their best to secure their organization. I noticed during the height of the pandemic that the attention shifted from security to resiliency. This was 100% appropriate in many ways. There was no appetite for the FUD of cyber, and I believe the remnants of this are reverberating throughout our industry today. There is more compassion. More empathy. More support (both logically and for mental well-being). More...humbleness.

So, in closing, I can reaffirm that I have learned a very valuable lesson this week. Will I make mistakes like this again in the future? You bet your a$$ I will. But my promise to you is I will also do my damndest to own up to my mistakes, and learn and grow alongside the greatest bunch of people I have had the honor to work with these past 30 years. Leaders who can't or won't accept their limitations and mistakes, who will not lead from the front will soon be leading a team of nothing.

Now pass me a fork, it is time I take a big old bite out of MY humble pie. MMmmmmmm.