As cyber threats continue to increase, so does the need for cyber security professionals. Some of the skills needed to succeed in the field of cyber security are programming skills, network configuration and management, firewall installation, etc… While technical skills are necessary, soft skills are critical for cyber security professionals. What do these consist of and how can they be useful?
Effective Communicaiton
Effective communication is an important component in cybersecurity. Written, as well as verbal, communication contributes to client satisfaction and retention. It can also be the difference between security protocols being implemented successfully or not. Clear and concise communication in cybersecurity minimizes misunderstandings, supports informed decision-making, and helps to mitigate potential issues.
Analytical Mindset
Analytical thinking is crucial in cybersecurity for assessing threats, identifying vulnerabilities, and taking timely action to prevent or mitigate damage. Being able to break down complex security procedures into manageable components helps to establish security measures that can be clearly communicated to other employees. Thus, it improves the users’ implementation of security protocols. Having an analytical mindset also helps to gather and compile data in a way that’s efficient and easy to understand. By doing this, analysts are better able to evaluate patterns and trends in cyber incidents.
Active Listening
Practicing active listening promotes collaboration and builds trust within the team; this enables a more cohesive response to threats. Engaging fully in discussions about security protocols and threat assessments ensures clear understanding between cybersecurity analysts, clients, and employees. In a field where details are of utmost importance, active listening empowers others to respond more effectively to challenges and implement strategies based on input from different perspectives.
Empathy
Empathy is not only a skill but a necessity in the field of cybersecurity. It allows professionals to see things from different perspectives, whether the perspective of employees, a potential victim, or attackers. By putting themselves in the shoes of others, cybersecurity experts broaden their vantage point and can anticipate or prevent attacks before they happen. Another way empathy is useful is when it comes to training and testing employees. Using fear and ridicule does not foster an environment where people want to learn. On the other hand, having a system in place where employees are rewarded when they report phishing emails, for example, can help create trust so that employees will be more apt to report anything suspicious to their IT department in the future. Thus, mitigating the effects of a potential cyber-attack.
A More Complex Approach
As cyber-attacks continue to get more sophisticated cybersecurity professionals are increasingly expected to take on a more complex approach to their work. Their expertise should not be limited to the technical realm, but also in the social and psychological aspects of threat mitigation. The field of cybersecurity is primarily led by technical work and procedures, however at the core of all that are people and organizations. Cyber-security professionals must have the skills to organize, communicate, resolve problems, and negotiate, in order to be successful. These soft skills are essential, because on the other side of the tech are people.
At Social-Engineer, LLC, we focus on empathy-based training. Our security awareness managed services are designed to test, educate, and protect your human network from Vishing, Phishing, SMiShing, and Impersonation, attacks. We apply scientifically proven methodologies to uncover vulnerabilities, define risk, and provide remediation. Ethical, certified social engineers perform all our services, using realistic scenarios and adhering to our code of ethics. This approach creates an impactful learning experience, demonstrated by measurable results.
Written by:
Rosa Rowles
Human Risk Analyst at Social-Engineer, LLC
