LIVE SESSION WITH DR. ERIC COLE

Takeaways

• 😀 Understand that personality traits (introvert vs extrovert) play a significant role in choosing your career path, particularly in cybersecurity roles like CISO or security engineer.
• 😀 Being a CISO involves a mix of technical expertise and strong social skills, including interacting with executives, board members, and the public.
• 😀 Security engineers typically enjoy roles with less interpersonal interaction, where they can focus on solving complex technical problems.
• 😀 Self-awareness is crucial in career development—understand whether you enjoy extroverted or introverted activities to choose the best career fit.
• 😀 While being an extrovert is useful for roles like CISO, it's important to assess if you can train yourself to handle social components effectively.
• 😀 Introverts can thrive in security engineering by using their problem-solving strengths while avoiding the need for extensive social interaction.
• 😀 Extroverted skills, like presenting or attending board meetings, can be developed over time with practice, and may become enjoyable in the right context.
• 😀 It's important to enjoy and have fun in your career, as satisfaction in your role directly impacts your long-term success and happiness.
• 😀 If you're interested in becoming a CISO, consider exploring paid training and certifications designed to advance your skills and career in cybersecurity.
• 😀 Continuous learning is key in the cybersecurity industry, and there are resources to help you level up your skills, whether for technical or leadership roles.
• 😀 Embrace both personal growth and career progression by seeking resources, support, and opportunities to take your career to the next level.

Q & A

What is the main difference between a CISO role and a security engineer role?

The CISO role involves a significant amount of interaction with other executives, board members, and external partners, requiring extroverted skills. In contrast, the security engineer role is more focused on technical problem-solving and requires less social interaction, making it a better fit for introverts.

What are the key skills required for a CISO?

A CISO needs strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of cybersecurity, the ability to communicate complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders, and strong interpersonal skills for interacting with executives, board members, and external partners.

How does one determine if a CISO role is the right fit?

The CISO role requires a balance of technical expertise and strong social skills. Individuals should assess whether they enjoy public speaking, networking with other professionals, and handling the social demands of the role, such as board presentations and meetings.

Why is being extroverted important for a CISO?

Being extroverted is important for a CISO because the role involves interacting with various stakeholders, including executives, board members, and partners. A CISO often has to lead meetings, present at conferences, and engage in social situations, which require a degree of comfort with public speaking and socializing.

What if someone is introverted and wants to become a CISO?

An introverted person can still pursue a CISO role, but they may need to develop their extroverted skills over time. Training in communication and leadership skills can help them succeed in the social aspects of the role without compromising their technical expertise.

How important is it to enjoy the CISO role?

It's essential to enjoy the CISO role because it involves significant responsibility and a range of activities, from technical problem-solving to high-level executive interactions. Enjoying the role will help individuals sustain their motivation and succeed in the long term.

What should someone do if they don't enjoy the social aspects of the CISO role?

If someone doesn't enjoy the social aspects of the CISO role, they may want to consider transitioning to a role like a security engineer, where the focus is more on technical tasks and problem-solving, with less emphasis on social interaction.

What type of person would be a good fit for a security engineer role?

A good fit for a security engineer role is someone who enjoys working on technical problems, prefers fewer social interactions, and excels in a more introverted environment. Security engineers typically focus on solving complex technical issues rather than managing teams or interacting with executives.

Can a CISO develop introverted skills if needed?

Yes, a CISO can develop introverted skills if needed by focusing on self-discovery and practicing behaviors that are more introverted. The key is understanding one's strengths and weaknesses and leveraging personal preferences to enhance leadership abilities.

What should a person focus on if they want to transition to a CISO role?

To transition to a CISO role, a person should focus on building both technical expertise in cybersecurity and leadership skills. They should also develop their communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with a variety of stakeholders, including board members, executives, and external partners.