Are you considering a career in cybersecurity? Or are you already working in IT security and seeking advice for effectively leading a cybersecurity team? Chris Cochran, advisory CISO and chief evangelist at Huntress, has the expert advice you need.
The Road From Intelligence to Full-Time Content Creator
Cochran, who is also a start-up adviser, podcaster, speaker and co-founder at Hacker Valley Media, became interested in technology in his youth. But it wasn’t until after he entered the Marine Corps in 2006 that he got into the field of intelligence, which sent him to the National Security Agency.
Later, Cochran worked with the United States Cyber Command as a contractor, and also worked as a consultant. “I got time to stand up threat intelligence at Netflix, and after that I was director of engineering for security operations for various organizations,” he said.
Today, Cochran creates cybersecurity-related content including videos and podcasts full-time. He is also a public speaker and event host. “At this point, I am really focused on scaling my impact for the community through conversation,” he said. “So, I went from the technology side of things to the human side.” Additionally, he works with CompTIA as a subject matter expert.
Cochran currently holds CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) and assisted with the first two iterations of the certification. He also has CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH).
The Benefits of Working in Tech
While technology offers fulfilling, lucrative career paths, we often don’t think about the impact tech carers have on a broader scale.
“Sometimes we tend to sweep under the rug the economic impact being in IT can have for your community and for yourself,” Cochran said. “Technology, and even cybersecurity, is a socioeconomic equalizer of people. The more we can educate and expose our children to technology, the more likely they are to think of it as a career pathway.”
Exposing children to the possibility of a career in technology early on can help to open doors to a fulfilling future in cybersecurity. And in many instances, pursuing a career in technology offers people the opportunity to make a difference, both in their own lives and in their community, something Cochran strives to do in his own career.
Technology careers also offer continued growth and learning opportunities, and almost all cybersecurity roles require you to have some level of problem-solving skills in order to be successful.
So, if you’re considering a career in technology – or more specifically, cybersecurity – don’t fear you’re setting yourself up for something boring. There is always something new to learn.
“It’s tough to get bored working in cybersecurity, as long as you can help it,” Cochran said. “There are simply too many current and emerging problems to solve and new technologies to invent and discover.”
The Value of Knowing Your Strengths
As a cybersecurity professional it is important to be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses. And for those who are new to the cybersecurity field, Cochran suggests seeking out people who are doing what you want to do and connect with them – even if you’re unsure of exactly which path you’d like to take. Networking with individuals that work in job roles you are interested in can help you to understand exactly what it takes to be successful.
“Talk to a lot of different people that are doing different things, because there is going to be that one moment that really incites a change in you,” he said. “That’s what could change your career trajectory and put you on a path that is best suited to you.”
Cochran also recommends doing self-reflection and getting real about what you are good at. He suggests asking yourself questions like:
- Are you the puzzle solver or the communicator?
- Are you someone who loves the bits and bytes of cybersecurity?
- Are you able to write things like policies and legislation?
When you understand your purpose and know what you are great at, that’s often when your cybersecurity career takes flight.
The Two Most Important Characteristics for Cybersecurity Pros
Many cybersecurity professionals wonder what hiring managers are looking for. Cochran believes that passion and mental agility are essential qualities for a new hire. While a person may not be qualified for a role on paper, passion can help them overcome any learning or experience gaps. For some, passion alone can make up for a lack of qualifications.
“Just knowing that a candidate is willing to try day-in and day-out to be the best they possibly can be is worth its weight in gold,” Cochran said.
Mental agility is also vital for cybersecurity professionals. This is because the ever-changing nature of the field demands that cybersecurity professionals be flexible and try new ways of solving problems.
“Having mental agility is really important, but having passion is the foundation of everything in your cybersecurity career,” he said.
The Value of Hands-On IT Skills and Certifications
In addition to having passion and mental agility, cybersecurity professionals also need technical skills to perform on the job. These skills often come through the process of getting industry certifications or hands-on experience.
“I came from the certification route,” Cochran explained. “I got a lot of certifications on my career pathway, but I would say hands-on competencies such as keyboard skills and CTF exercises are even more important. However, there is a professionalism that comes with certifications that shows me a candidate not only loves the subject, but also cares about the trajectory of their career.”
A combination of hands-on skills and certifications that validate those skills ensure that cybersecurity professionals have what it takes to succeed in in-demand cyber job roles.
The Best Way to Build a Strong Cybersecurity Team
If you have been working in cybersecurity for a while, have built a strong career and are now working to build a strong cybersecurity team, Cochran’s best advice is to diversify your team. Cochran urges cybersecurity leaders to encourage diversity of thought, background and culture. This will help ensure your cybersecurity team has different lenses through which to look at problems.
“The more people with different backgrounds and ways of thinking you have looking at a particular problem, the more likely your team is to come up with innovative and creative solutions,” Cochran explained. “Having too many of the same person on a team promotes groupthink, and that limits your creativity and makes for a less inclusive environment at the end of the day for individuals as well.”
Connect with Chris Cochran on LinkedIn for continued inspiration as you build your cybersecurity career.
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