The cyber workforce is as diverse as the challenges it faces. From process designers and behavioral analysts to business strategists and communicators, cybersecurity thrives on a diversity of skill sets. It’s important to understand what it takes to join the field, especially given the current shortage of cybersecurity professionals.

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the misconception that cybersecurity is only for hackers and codebreakers. We’ll dive into why soft skills like communications and organizational collaboration are just as essential as technical skills. We’ll talk about how to break into the field. Spoiler alert: it’s not as hard as you might think.

On this episode, we discuss:

• Why the cyber workforce is broader than you might think
• How non-technical skills are critical in a technical field
• The importance of soft skills
• Why cybersecurity needs process thinkers, analysts, and business minds, too

Today’s guest is Mike Thompson. Mike brings a unique perspective to the table. Mike’s experience spans recruitment, compliance sales, and cybersecurity assessments. His journey through the field offers great insight into the many ways professionals can contribute to cybersecurity without fitting the traditional mold.

Links:

• FedRAMP’s R311 Requirements
• CMMC: Ecosystem Professionals > Assessing and Certification

Managing identities may be the most difficult and complex task facing any organization today. Often treated as an afterthought in system development, mishandling identity management can lead to serious consequences.

Because identities aren’t just people — they’re also systems and facilities, and managing them effectively requires more than just technology. From powerful service accounts to poorly defined access controls, identity management is the frontline of doing security right.

On this episode, we break down the following:

• Why identity is the most important security function
• The unique risks posed by non-human identities (service accounts)
• How to define and prioritize assets using a risk-based approach
• Practical strategies for managing identities and their privileges
• Why perfection isn’t required

Today’s guest is Terry McGraw. Terry is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army and now serves the CEO of Cape Endeavors, Inc, with over 20 years of providing expertise in cyber security threat analysis, security architectural design, network operations and incident response across both commercial and government sectors.

Links:

• Fido-2 Alliance
• Kerberoasting Attack
• Microsoft’S Enterprise Access Model

What are the real costs of cybersecurity implementation? Spoiler alert: it’s far more complex than it appears on the surface. Cybersecurity is a people and process problem, not a technology problem. Most of implementation costs come in the form of time, effort and coordination throughout the organization. In this episode, we reach back to the classroom for a refresher on how to conduct effective risk analyses. Risk analyses –or risk assessments– are critical tools for guiding smart cybersecurity investments and decisions. They’re the best tool for successfully navigating the intersection of business and cybersecurity. Whether you’re a compliance professional, business leader or just curious about how cybersecurity aligns with real-world business needs, this episode is full of insights to help you think more strategically. A few highlights:

• Why the cost of cybersecurity is hard to measure – but why it’s necessary
• Why many organizations struggle to properly conduct risk analyses
• How risk analyses help bridge the gap between business goals and cybersecurity priorities
• The importance of gaining executive buy-in for cybersecurity initiatives
• How to conduct a risk analysis

Today’s guests are Dr. T. Selwyn Ellis and Dr. Jae Ung (Jake) Lee. Dr. Ellis is the Balsley-Whitmore Endowed Professor in the College of Business at Louisiana Tech University. He is the Chair of the Department of Computer Information Systems and the Director for the Center for Information Assurance. He earned a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science, as well as an MBA from Mississippi College and DBA in Quantitative Analysis and Management Information Systems from Louisiana Tech University. He has published over forty articles in various academic journals including Communication of the ACM, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, and European Journal of Information Systems. His research is mainly in data analytics and behavioral aspects of information technology.

Dr. Lee is an Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems in the College of Business, Louisiana Tech University. He earned a Ph.D. in Management Science and Systems from the State University of New York at Buffalo. His research interests include information security and privacy, emergency response, cloud computing, and telework. His research has appeared in European Journal of Information Systems, Information Systems Frontiers, and the International Journal of Information Management, among others.