4 key factors that make a successful security professional

The security professional encounters various challenges as part of their daily routine. Being a security champion within the organization is only the beginning in navigating the various complexities inherent in the world of security. How can security professionals arm themselves to better deal with these challenges? What self-introspection is needed to perform their duties more effectively? What equation should be balanced in order to maintain harmonious dynamics within peers and other stakeholders? What thought process is ideal to determine more powerful outcomes? Let's unravel these questions and dive deep into what one needs to function as a highly successful security professional.

TECHNICAL

Security has now become an indispensable part of our lives and organizations cannot live without it. A strong foundational knowledge of security principles and best practices of information security is the hallmark of a seasoned security professional. It is required to have a good understanding of the technical aspects of security like architecture, networks, cryptography, etc. It not only enhances one's own technical skills, but also largely determines how others perceive you within the organization. Security professionals need to talk to multiple teams and they are more likely to accept your views if you are well-known for your strong technical security knowledge. This respect you earn will pave a smooth path ahead for implementation of security goals and objectives. Given that security is a vast ocean, it is prudent to continuously learn and strive to improve your knowledge and skills in the field of information security. Developing a curious mind-set goes a long way in improving technical expertise. This also requires a research-oriented mindset as well, since the digital world evolves rapidly and each security problem is unique. Given the fast pace of development, it is important to continuously strive to improve skills and knowledge, and stay up-to-date on the latest security trends and best practices. This helps to ensure that security professionals walk in step with engineering modernization and provide relevant solutions. Technical knowledge also enables you to think strategically about security issues and develop long-term plans aligned to security policy. Most importantly, it is of paramount importance that a security professional be practical in approach and not arm-chaired. The security solution being proposed should be realistic, achievable, relevant and simple. Merely throwing the security rule-book or a policy at engineers is the quickest way to disaster.

ANALYTICAL

Data is the new oil. A security professional should be able to analyze and interpret complex security data and make rational, informed decisions based on that analysis. The analysis should be rooted within the operating environment of the organization, taking into account various parameters such as the business, policies, laws, compliance, etc. The requirement should be clearly articulated to help in focused analysis, else it is easy to be lost in the deluge of available data. Also, defining and understanding the problem can require multiple discussions and taking inputs from multiple stakeholders. It is required to have strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, to effectively identify and analyze security issues. This helps to approach security challenges with a critical and analytical mindset, and ultimately helps to develop effective solutions. All decision making should be based on data and evidence, while keeping aside bias and partiality. It is important to filter out and focus on relevant data only and cut-out unnecessary noise. Using a structured approach, such as SWOT analysis or cost-benefit analysis, makes the decision-making process more effective. Before arriving at a final decision, multiple options should be considered and their pros and cons should be weighed in an objective manner. While it is easy to be focused on arriving at a solution, it is also about challenging status-quo and understanding why things the way there are. The historical context cannot be discounted and must be factored into the decision-making process as well. Decisions should not adopt a piece-meal approach or focus on short-term goals. Instead, it should be oriented towards long-term goals and result in long-term benefits, even if it means short-term pain. Hence, it is very important that the analytical approach of a security professional be practical, data-based, unbiased and resilient with time.

INTER-PERSONAL

Technical and analytical skills help the security professional to arrive at a conclusion for a given security topic of interest. But the next step of communicating and collaborating with relevant stakeholders largely determines the success of the security program objectives. Sometimes other teams are unwilling to work with security teams, due to the perception that security teams bring blockers. Hence soft skills are as important as technical skills in the world of security, especially given these psychological barriers. A security professional should be able to effectively communicate security risks and vulnerabilities to non-technical stakeholders as well as provide clear instructions for addressing those risks. This involves being communicating technical information in a clear and concise manner, and actively listen to the concerns and needs of others. The same security message can mean different things to different teams and they may have varied understanding of what the security team expects from them. It makes it easier for them if the security team is able to wear different hats & talk different languages in a manner which is easily comprehensible and relevant. Collaboration is quintessential to work effectively with others, including technical and non-technical stakeholders, to ensure the success of security initiatives. Last but not the least, a security professional should invest time in networking, collaborating and building relationships within the organization. All these above factors will be key in determining how to overcome silos within the organization.

PERSONALITY TRAITS

Like any other job role, even in the security world, personality traits of an individual play a huge part in the success of a security professional's work. It is important to balance technical and soft skills to be more effective to achieve security goals. The thought process of a security professional should be guided by patience, empathy for others and objectivity in decision making. The most important trait would be to have a sense of curiosity and invest time in learning to remain updated with the latest security trends, technologies and best practices. Efforts invested in achieving certifications pay rich dividends for security professionals. This will ensure that they approach their work with a sense of urgency and pay close attention to detail, especially when it comes to identifying and mitigating security risks. The technology and business landscape undergo constant change and it is crucial to remain flexible to pivot and adjust their approach as the situation demands. A security professional should be dedicated to their work, and willing to put in the extra time and effort needed to protect an organization's assets. A strong display of professionalism is needed to encounter fire-fighting and high-pressure situations that constantly arise. Security objectives require multi-team effort and it is imperative to be able to lead security teams, projects or initiatives and provide guidance and direction to team members. A security professional should be diligent and take responsibility for their actions and decisions, ensuring that their work is accurate and meets required standards. This, along with a strong sense of ethics and integrity, will align all efforts in the best interests of their organization and clients.

The need for seasoned security professionals today has been greater than ever before. They carry the immense burden of ensuring the strength of security within the organization. It is imperative that security professionals are able to function at their best. They are vital in the battle against cybercrime and protecting the organization against cyber threats. The above factors act as simple yet effective catalysts that help in the evolution of security professionals to achieve their personal and professional goals.