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5 non-technical skills that are vital for cyber security pros

Published on: 13 Sep 2024

When you are applying for a role in cyber security, it's natural that you'll want to showcase your expertise in areas such as coding, threat detection and security incident handling to prospective employers.

But while these technical skills will always be a key component of any job, they aren't the only things recruiters will be looking for. Interviewers will also be keen to see what you can offer in non-technical areas, whether you're starting a cyber security career or looking to move up the ladder.

Because these are sometimes described as 'soft' skills, many applicants may make the mistake of thinking they are less important than strong technical knowledge. But this is far from the case, as without these capabilities, you'll struggle to work effectively across many areas.

In fact, demonstrating at an interview that you have a well-rounded skill set, including the ability to work as a team and communicate effectively, could be what puts you ahead of other candidates. While non-technical skills can’t replace cyber security required skills, they can complement them and boost your potential to be hired.

Here are five soft skills you therefore need to be highlighting to potential employers.

1. Problem solving

Being able to solve problems is a key part of many roles, but it's an area that technical cyber security skills alone can't help you with. To be a good problem-solver, you not only need an analytical mind, but an ability to look at situations from multiple angles, think laterally and be willing to try new things.

Critical thinking in high-stress situations is important for a career in cyber security as there are likely to be circumstances where you’re reacting to a serious breach or attack. Professionals who can keep a clear head and make decisions quickly under pressure could save valuable time and minimise the impact of security incidents by acting promptly.

2. Communication

Collaboration and cross-disciplinary communication can turn a group of siloed experts into a high-functioning team whose technical skills are all put to good use. It helps to foster a culture of cooperation and allows everyone from the top cyber security expert to a non-technical stakeholder to understand the situation and appropriate measures.

Dealing with non-IT professionals will be an inevitable part of the job for many experts, from security engineers to forensic analysts, and as you rise in seniority, this becomes even more true. However, these individuals will usually be unfamiliar with many of the complex technical issues and language you use every day, and it's your responsibility to turn this into a form they understand. 

This needs to cover both written and verbal communications. Without these skills, you'll have real trouble getting projects approved or explaining to people the importance of cyber security. Effectively communicate everyone’s role within the bigger picture and before long, the overall landscape will shift to work more effectively.

3. Teamwork

There's sometimes a perception that cyber security jobs are largely a solo task. But while the ability to work independently is certainly important, for the majority of scenarios, you'll need to collaborate with colleagues both inside and outside the department. This can range from collaborating to build new defence solutions to consulting with business units and taking on board their feedback on where their problems lie. 

As is the case with communication, teamwork skills also go a long way to getting people at all levels of the business to buy into your project and work together to protect the business from threats.

4. Adaptability

Perhaps the worst attitude you can have in the cyber security field is doing something because 'that's the way it's always been done'. Criminals are well aware of this, so if you don't adjust your mindset and ways of working to keep up with the evolving industry, you'll leave your business exposed. Being flexible and adaptable means moving quickly to embrace new ideas and not getting hung up on existing solutions.

With emerging threats taking advantage of the latest technology, including artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and compromised supply chains, cyber security measures are changing quickly. The best security professionals are not just thinking about what’s happening now, but future proofing their intrusion prevention systems to prevent attacks before they happen.

Be sure to have examples of all of these skills ready when asked during an interview. Remember, once you reach this stage, recruiters will already have a good idea of your technical skills from your CV. Instead, you'll need to show you're a good fit for the company and its culture, and this is where the above skills can make all the difference.

5. Personal development

If you ever think you’re a fully-formed cyber security professional, then you’re missing a trick when it comes to advancing your career and moving up through the salary brackets. There’s always the opportunity to upskill in cyber, even once you’ve landed a job. In fact, many companies will fund any courses you want to take for your continued professional development.

Some of the relevant cyber security courses you might want to consider include:

Browse our range of cyber security jobs today.