Are Technical Skills in Decline in Cybersecurity
Before you get your pitchforks out after reading the headline .. let me give a brief history lesson.
Before the Industrial Revolution, labor-intensive skills were in high demand.
The reason for their value was due to the expertise and time required to master them.
Then .. industrialization came and significantly reduced (if not eliminated) the need for manual work. This is Are Technical Skills in Decline in Cybersecurity?
The more factories grew and production scaled, the more the demand for manual skills dropped.
These people either had to adapt by taking up new roles, often with lower pay and less skill required, or faced unemployment.
The lesson is that specific skills thought to be irreplaceable suddenly became replaceable.
Demand for these skills dropped significantly because machines could perform tasks more efficiently.
Do you see where this is going ??
With AI, a similar shift is occurring with specific technical skills, particularly in areas like software development, data entry, and yes .. Cybersecurity
This time, as of today while you are reading this.. is the worst that AI will ever be .. it is only going to keep improving and becoming more advanced
AI is already writing code, analyzing data, and even performing customer service roles via GenAI-powered chatbots
As AI becomes more advanced, it WILL automate tasks that once required technical expertise in Cybersecurity like:
Security Code Reviews
VA Scanning
L1 Incident Response
Security Assessments
Will it be as good as a human Cybersecurity analyst ?? probably not
But I hate to tell you that it might be good enough for companies to start looking at roles they can offload to AI
It will not happen overnight .. BUT it will happen for sure
The pattern in both AI and industrialization is clear: technological advancements can devalue specific skills that were once essential, pushing workers to adapt by acquiring new skills.
OR finding ways to leverage their expertise in roles that complement the new technology rather than compete with it.
The Rise of Complementary Skills
So .. the bad news is that purely technical skills are no longer sufficient to guarantee job security or career advancement.
The good news is that other skills are rapidly coming up which WILL be in high demand.
Developing these complementary skills will enable individuals to thrive in an AI-augmented world.
Remember that while AI excels at processing data and performing routine tasks, it needs help with creative problem-solving.
AI can analyze data and provide insights but still requires human judgment to make strategic decisions.
Developing your critical thinking skills will enable you to interpret and apply AI-generated data effectively.
I predict the future of Cybersecurity will be something like the interfaces shown in Minority Report, where you have to make sense of huge amounts of data and then solve problems.
To AI-proof your career, consider developing the following skill sets:
1 — Critical Thinking and Strategic Decision-Making
As AI handles more routine tasks, the ability to think critically and make strategic decisions will be crucial.
Cybersecurity professionals who can interpret AI-generated insights and apply them innovatively will be in high demand.
Engage in activities that challenge your problem-solving abilities, such as complex case studies.
Consider taking courses in strategic management or decision science
2 — Communication Skills
No AI can “read a room.”
It cannot replace the human touch needed to communicate complex security issues to non-technical stakeholders.
Being able to explain cybersecurity risks and solutions in a way that others can understand will be invaluable.
Practice explaining technical concepts to non-experts, join public speaking clubs like Toastmasters or take communication and leadership courses.
3 — Creative Problem-Solving
AI struggles with tasks that require creativity and innovation.
Developing your ability to think creatively and solve security challenges will help differentiate you from the machines.
Engage in creative exercises like brainstorming sessions and design thinking workshops, or participate in hackathons encouraging innovative solutions.
4 — AI Ethics and Governance
As AI plays a bigger role in society, understanding the ethical implications of AI decisions and ensuring they align with broader governance standards will be essential.
Cybersecurity professionals with a firm grasp of ethics and compliance will play a key role in shaping the future of AI in this field.
Check out my video on this below.
5 — Content Creation
This may sound strange, but creating engaging content is a valuable skill that will become even more valuable over time.
At a time of mass copy-pasted ChatGPT content .. content that gives genuine value will stand out.
Building a personal brand will also help you to expand your network and sphere of influence.
Start a blog, create a YouTube channel, or design infographics on topics you’re passionate about.
Participate in content creation courses or workshops to refine your skills.
6 — Entrepreneurial Mindset
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, having an entrepreneurial mindset can set you apart and open doors to new opportunities.
It can show you how to break away from the 9 to 5 grind and start your own one-person company.
Developing an entrepreneurial mindset involves thinking creatively, taking risks, and proactively identifying opportunities.
It will also make you more resilient to technological disruptions like AI.
Where others see a massive threat .. you will see an opportunity.
Engage in projects that require innovation and initiative, read books on entrepreneurship, and consider starting a side hustle to practice these skills in a real-world setting.
A Brave New World
In the AI era, purely technical skills are no longer enough to secure your career.
To stay competitive, you need to develop the complementary skills which I mentioned.
Good luck during this crazy time!
Taimur Ijlal is a multi-award-winning, information security leader with over two decades of international experience in cyber-security and IT risk management in the fin-tech industry.
Taimur can be connected on LinkedIn or on his YouTube channel “Cloud Security Guy” on which he regularly posts about Cloud Security, Artificial Intelligence, and general cyber-security career advice.
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