With large amounts of personal information, including health and financial information, and sensitive corporate and government data flying around the ether these days, there’s no small wonder that the need for cybersecurity continues to grow.

To meet that demand, companies are constantly on the lookout for skilled individuals to fill roles in this vital area. While knowledge of programming, coding, networks, cloud computing, and operating systems is crucial for cybersecurity professionals, one should not overlook the personal abilities that just might give a candidate an edge over other applicants.

All of the programming know-how in the world won’t mean a thing if a cybersecurity professional cannot communicate concepts to team members or collaborate with others to ensure the success of cybersecurity projects.

It’s possession of these soft skills that, when paired effectively with required technical capabilities, makes one candidate stand out over others. Listing these soft skills on a resume will not only greatly enhance the document but also help increase the chances of becoming an organization’s next roadblock between safety and disaster.

Top Soft Skills for Cybersecurity Professionals

Don’t mistake soft for unimportant or inconsequential. Soft skills can truly make a difference when it comes to leadership, innovation, motivation, and adaptability in the field of cybersecurity. With rapid changes, unexpected problems, and evolving ways in which data can be compromised, it is equally important to possess non-technical skills as they are technical skills in order to succeed in this role.

Suppose, for example, that a cybersecurity professional lacks the ability to adequately describe a new security procedure, detail a new regulation, or explain a new threat. Lost might be the urgency and importance of the situation, resulting in a dreaded breach of security. Imagine that a cybersecurity professional poorly manages his time, and a threat that could have been more readily identified and addressed is missed because of this inability.

How could a professional implement a procedure that might prevent any vulnerabilities if they fail to pay attention to detail? Or analyze a potential threat while lacking critical thinking skills?

Communication Skills

According to a 2023 report issued by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), communication skills top the list of important soft skills that those working in cybersecurity need to possess. From explaining detection processes to writing incident reports, the ability to convey ideas and concepts in terms that those working in and outside of IT can grasp is a critical component of being a cybersecurity professional.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking, placing second on the list of soft skills sought in cybersecurity job candidates, is a valuable skill that strengthens one’s ability to assess data, ask important questions, evaluate alternative solutions, and apply creativity. Rounding out the list presented in the ISACA report are problem-solving, teamwork, and attention to detail.

More Vital Soft Skills in Cybersecurity

Some other essential soft skills that most employers will seek in cybersecurity job candidates include:

• Flexibility
• Team building
• Active listening
• Leadership
• Creativity
• Decision-making

Why Soft Skills in Cybersecurity?

It might take a village to raise a child, but the same might be said of protecting data and warding off cyber threats. Successful cybersecurity efforts typically involve managers, engineers, analysts, programmers, consultants, and others who contribute to the analysis, development, and implementation of security processes, software, threat detection tools, and real and viable solutions to both existing and potential threats.

Thus, working with large groups of people is going to require people or interpersonal skills. Cybersecurity isn’t all firewalls and antivirus software. It’s communicating, interacting, and working alongside people who share the common goal of detecting, preventing, and eliminating vulnerabilities and threats.

It’s sharing thoughts, ideas, innovations, and creative responses. It’s listening, explaining, describing, delegating, and solving. It’s the best of people meeting the worst of threats head-on and delivering solutions and preventative practices that ensure the safety and protection of individuals, corporations, health agencies, financial institutions, and government offices.

Overcoming Soft Skills Deficiencies in Cybersecurity

Another conclusion drawn in the ISACA report is that deficiencies in soft skills are strongly evident in many cybersecurity professionals. More than half (55%) of respondents indicated that many of these professionals are lacking in soft skills.

Jon Brandt, the ISACA Director of Professional Practices and Innovation, goes on to say that “the soft skills gap we see among cybersecurity professionals is part of a concerning systemic issue that our industry needs to take seriously.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth in cybersecurity is expected to be 33% through 2033, a rate much faster than the average for other areas. With so many opportunities, there will, of course, be plenty of competition. Building strong, soft skills coveted by employers is one way that candidates can make themselves stand out in the crowd.

Taking free online personal growth courses, volunteering to improve teamwork skills, rearranging your schedule to work on flexibility, and adopting a more positive attitude are some things you can do to develop skills that will carry over to your professional life and prepare you to become more successful in the field of cybersecurity.

You can also look into courses that can be taken online at your own pace and at a reasonable price. Platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, and Futurelearn all offer courses that can direct you in developing the soft skills needed to thrive in your cybersecurity career.

By developing and showcasing these skills, cybersecurity professionals can not only enhance their career prospects but also become indispensable assets in safeguarding data and combating cyber risks.