In cybersecurity, technical expertise is crucial, but soft skills—those non-technical abilities—can truly define your career success. The good news? Every single one of these skills can be learned and improved over time. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the top 10 soft skills you need to thrive in this field.
Related Video:
1. Communication and Emotional Intelligence
Being able to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences is non-negotiable. Whether you’re briefing executives, guiding end users, or collaborating with clients, simplifying technical jargon is critical.
To build this skill:
Take on roles that require frequent interaction, like retail, help desk, or system administration.
Push yourself out of your comfort zone: present to groups, network, or volunteer.
For me, working in a restaurant as a teenager helped break my introverted shell. Later, my military role as a Client Systems Technician reinforced these skills through endless troubleshooting sessions, both face-to-face and over the phone. Translating tech speak for non-technical users became second nature, which has been invaluable in my cybersecurity career.
2. Collaboration and Teamwork
Cybersecurity is a team effort. From open-source projects to working with HR, legal, or marketing teams, success often hinges on collaboration.
To develop teamwork skills:
Join cybersecurity groups or community initiatives.
Reflect on past teamwork experiences, whether in sports, past jobs, or other group settings.
For me, 10 years of playing football taught me invaluable teamwork lessons. Later, working in Air Force communication squadrons taught me to bridge gaps between various departments.
3. Business Acumen
Cybersecurity isn’t just technical—it’s a business function. Understanding how businesses operate helps align security goals with organizational objectives.
To sharpen your business sense:
Read books and consume content on business and entrepreneurship.
Follow business leaders and listen to podcasts.
Personally, my minor in Business Administration laid the foundation for understanding business language. You don’t need formal education for this—most of my knowledge came from affordable books and free online resources.
4. Sales, Marketing, and Negotiation
These skills aren’t just for salespeople. In cybersecurity, you need to sell your value, especially during interviews and salary negotiations.
To build these skills:
Take top-rated online courses on platforms like Udemy.
Read negotiation books and practice the concepts in real-life scenarios.
I developed my salary negotiation strategy through extensive learning and practice, which helped me secure better compensation.
5. Problem Solving and Adaptability
The ability to think on your feet is essential. Whether solving technical or business problems, adaptability is key.
To improve:
Work in dynamic environments like help desk roles or system administration.
Take on a variety of challenges, both technical and interpersonal.
My experience solving thousands of technical issues as a system administrator honed my problem-solving skills. Volunteering in IT support is another great way to encounter diverse problems.
6. Time Management
In cybersecurity, meeting deadlines is critical. Structure your day around your strengths and weaknesses and strive for continuous improvement.
Key tips:
Plan your tasks and aim for consistent productivity.
Take ownership of missed deadlines and learn from them.
For six months in my current role, I’ve maintained a perfect record of meeting deadlines, which I attribute to meticulous planning.
7. Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
Cybersecurity evolves rapidly, so staying stagnant means falling behind. Cultivate a habit of continuous learning through certifications, courses, and reading.
For me, certifications have been a cornerstone of my career. With 16 certifications (and counting), I stay current by rolling immediately from one certification to the next. Additionally, live-streaming my problem-solving process helps me learn and share knowledge simultaneously.
8. Leadership and Conflict Resolution
Leadership isn’t reserved for management—it’s about taking initiative and guiding others. Conflict resolution is equally critical, especially in high-pressure situations.
To start:
Volunteer for leadership roles, whether at work, in college, or in your community.
Focus on calmly resolving disagreements and organizing teams.
During my time in the Air Force, volunteering as an Airman Leader was a pivotal experience. Leading workouts as a Physical Training Leader and managing tasks for an entire squadron pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me invaluable leadership skills.
9. Attention to Detail
In cybersecurity, missing small details can lead to significant consequences. This skill develops through experience and learning from mistakes.
To refine:
Treat each missed detail as a learning opportunity.
Use structured processes to minimize errors.
The military drilled attention to detail into me, from perfectly folding clothes to ensuring critical tasks were error-free. These habits carried over into technical tasks like enumeration during penetration testing.
10. Ethical Judgment and Decision Making
Ethics are the foundation of cybersecurity. Handling sensitive data responsibly and making sound decisions underpins your role as a trusted professional.
To cultivate:
Develop a strong moral code and always consider the long-term impact of your actions.
Be firm in your commitment to ethical practices, even when tempted to take shortcuts.
As an ethical hacker, I’m committed to making cyberspace safer. Despite possessing the skills to engage in illegal hacking, I choose to uphold the law and maintain trust.
Final Thoughts
Soft skills aren’t just a bonus—they’re essential in cybersecurity. Whether it’s mastering communication, honing attention to detail, or building leadership abilities, each of these skills complements your technical expertise. Commit to improving these areas, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a standout cybersecurity professional.
For more tips and insights, subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content delivered directly to your inbox. And if you want to explore cybersecurity career paths, read Choosing the Right Cybersecurity Career Path for You: An In-Depth Guide.