Who Benefits from Mystifying Cybersecurity?

Oskar Yildiz

We’ve already agreed that philosophy could use content creators but cybersecurity is no different. When I talk about cloud security, via public speaking engagements or Twitter spaces, people generally do not know much about cybersecurity. Even those in Tech aren’t familiar with what security professionals do.

My UI/UX and Software Developer friends, for example, ask the same questions because they also have no idea what cybersecurity entails. I repeatedly then go in-depth about the different paths within cybersecurity - to their dismay.

We are all aware of the cybersecurity talent shortage. The conversation needs to include accessibility. Who benefits from mystifying security? Who is encouraged to go the cybersecurity career route? Why aren’t we expanding the outreach to broader communities?

There are currently no developer advocate-type roles within cybersecurity. This role is vital due to its reach, along with its combination of technical & community skills. Cybersecurity needs this. 

Anyone can succeed in cybersecurity - it’s time we allow for that. The demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to rise along with interest among job hopefuls, but the hiring practices aren’t allowing for a middle ground. Along with dropping the college degree requirements, we need to increase the number of women (especially black women) that apply and land interviews within cybersecurity.

I am a big advocate for apprenticeships because someone outside of security (like me) can be trained and put into the middle of the fire. It’s the best way to learn - though it can get overwhelming. Apprenticsehips in cybersecurity have been done. It’s doable.

Every company and corporation can play a positive part in this. Content creation is a magic phrase in almost every sector, but we must do a better job spreading cybersecurity awareness. And broaden that candidate pool.

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