Cybersecurity Skills Development

This Is What I See in Every Good Cybersecurity Professional I’ve interacted with hundreds of cybersecurity professionals over the years. Here’s what they all seem to have in common. Different backgrounds. Different countries. Different career paths. But the same patterns keep showing up. 1️⃣ First, they never stop learning. Not because they’re chasing titles, but because the field forces them to adapt. Curiosity is non negotiable in cybersecurity. 2️⃣ Second, they understand context. The strongest professionals don’t just know tools. They know why those tools exist, how systems work together, and how security supports business goals. 3️⃣ Third, they communicate well. They can explain complex issues simply. They know how to talk to engineers, executives, and non technical teams without sounding condescending or confusing. 4️⃣ Fourth, they’ve failed more than they talk about. Failed interviews. Missed certifications. Wrong career moves. What separates them is not avoiding failure, but learning quickly from it. 5️⃣ Fifth, they play the long game. No rush. No shortcuts. Just consistent effort over time. Most of the “overnight successes” you see have been at it quietly for years. And lastly, they give back. Through mentoring, writing, speaking, or simply answering questions. The best in the field understand that growth multiplies when knowledge is shared. If you’re trying to grow in cybersecurity, pay attention to these patterns. They matter more than any single course or certification. Follow Jonathan Ayodele for more cybersecurity career advice #CybersecurityCareerGrowth

🚀 NEW MUST READ! The State of the Post-Quantum Internet by Bas Westerbaan 🚀 Rarely do you come across such a comprehensive and easy-to-read article on #PQC and its current status. The latest post by Bas, a cryptography expert at Cloudflare, covers why we are here, what is happening, and what to do about the transition to pqc. Importantly, it's written in a simple, easy-to-understand manner. It's difficult to summarize this article; I strongly recommend that you read it. It has immediately made its way onto my MUST-READ list, which now has three entries: - This article: (https://lnkd.in/dkEA3Gw5)  - Federal Office for Information Security (BSI)'s "Quantum-Safe Cryptography – Fundamentals, Current Developments, and Recommendations" (https://lnkd.in/dsG6W8d2) - CFDIR's "Quantum-Readiness Best Practices and Guidelines" (https://lnkd.in/d-w_Nbfj) Highlights: 👉 Provides convincing explanations of the main timelines, threats, and the need to prepare now, before delving into details on TLS. While you might already know the conclusions, you'll likely appreciate how he argues them. 👉 Analysis of TLS Migration: 🚩 Key agreement (Confidentiality) - Timeline: Expects double-digit client support for post-quantum key agreement later in 2024. - Challenge: Lessons learned from the migration to TLS1.3 show that ossification due to middleboxes like firewalls and load balancers not supporting TLS behaviors that might be normal with PQC may pose future challenges. - Performance impact should not be a big issue. 🚩 Signatures/certificates (Authentication) - Timeline: Cloudflare expects to add post-quantum certificates as soon as they arrive (probably around 2026), but not enable them by default. - Challenges: Ossification again. The increased size of the certificate chain may not be accepted by some clients and middleboxes. - Analysis of other options under research to overcome the challenges posed by lengthy certificate chains. 👉 What You Can Do Today: Start with preparation: - Create engagement within the organization. - Where is cryptography used in the first place? - What software libraries/what hardware? - What are the timelines of your vendors? - Do you need to hire expertise? - What’s at risk, and how should it be prioritized? - Start testing. All this work can be started before NIST finishes their standards or software starts shipping with post-quantum cryptography. Do not crypto-procrastinate. Thank you, Bas, for referencing my talk at PKI Consortium's Conference, where I used the term "Crypto-procrastination," coined by my friends at Indra, David Domingo Martín, and team. (https://lnkd.in/dD8arK84). It's an honor to be tagged in such a well-written piece. #pqc #cybersecurity #quantum

How to Stand Out in Cybersecurity Without Stacking Certs Skills >> Certs My advice for standing out 1 - Master Hands-On Skills - Employers look for real-world experience, not just theoretical knowledge. - Set up a home lab, explore platforms like TryHackMe and Hack The Box, and work on practical security challenges. - Hands-on experience with SIEMs, EDRs, and cloud security tools will set you apart. 2 - Build Thought Leadership - Sharing knowledge is just as important as gaining it. Write blog posts on security topics, break down complex concepts on LinkedIn, or contribute to open-source security projects. 3 - Create a Cybersecurity Portfolio on GitHub - A strong portfolio speaks louder than a certification. Document your security projects, scripts, and research in a GitHub repository. - Whether it's writing detection rules, automating security tasks, or demonstrating exploit research, showcasing real work helps you stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. 4 - Create a Course or Tutorial - Teaching is one of the best ways to establish credibility in cybersecurity. Create a short course, video tutorial, or step-by-step guide on a cybersecurity concept you’ve mastered. - Platforms like YouTube, Udemy, or a personal blog are great places to start. Helping others learn positions you as an expert and opens doors to new opportunities. A strong cybersecurity career is built on hands-on skills, a solid portfolio, and the ability to share knowledge effectively. If you focus on these areas, you can succeed in cybersecurity—CISSP or not.

⚛️ Post-Quantum Cryptography and Quantum-Safe Security: A Comprehensive Survey 📑 Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is moving from evaluation to deployment as NIST finalizes standards for ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA. This survey maps the space from foundations to practice. We first develop a taxonomy across lattice-, code-, hash-, multivariate-, isogeny-, and MPC-in-the-Head families, summarizing security assumptions, cryptanalysis, and standardization status. We then compare performance and communication costs using representative, implementation-grounded measurements, and review hardware acceleration (AVX2, FPGA/ASIC) and implementation security with a focus on side-channel resistance. Building upward, we examine protocol integration (TLS, DNSSEC), PKI and certificate hygiene, and deployment in constrained and high-assurance environments (IoT, cloud, finance, blockchain). We also discuss complementarity with quantum technologies (QKD, QRNGs) and the limits of near-term quantum computing. Throughout, we emphasize crypto-agility, hybrid migration, and evidence-based guidance for operators. We conclude with open problems spanning parameter agility, leakage-resilient implementations, and domain-specific rollout playbooks. This survey aims to be a practical reference for researchers and practitioners planning quantum-safe systems, bridging standards, engineering, and operations. ℹ️ Chhetri et al - Texas State University, USA - 2025

What it takes to be in Cyber Security? ❕Cybersecurity isn’t just about tools and certs — it’s a mindset + skills + persistence combo. 👉🏻 Strong fundamentals first Master networking, operating systems (especially Linux + Windows), and basic scripting (Python is king). Everything else builds on this base. 👉🏻 Hands-on experience over theory Build a home lab, break & fix things, capture flags on TryHackMe / HackTheBox, contribute to open-source security projects, or volunteer for bug bounties. Employers want proof you can *do* the work. 👉🏻 Cloud & AI are now table stakes Cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP), securing APIs/SaaS, and understanding AI-related risks (supply chain attacks, agentic AI detection, shadow AI) are among the hottest demands right now. 👉🏻 Threat detection + incident response muscle Learn SIEM tuning, alert triage, contextual analysis, and calm-under-pressure decision making. Bonus: practice with real tools (Splunk, Elastic, Microsoft Sentinel, etc.). 👉🏻 Risk management & business translation The best pros speak both “security” and “business”. Identify meaningful risks, explain impact in $$$ / reputation terms, and map controls to actual business outcomes. 👉🏻 Certifications that open doors (smartly) Start with: CompTIA Security+, ISC2 CC, Google Cybersecurity Certificate Then level up: CySA+, CEH, CCSP (cloud), OSCP (offensive), CISSP/CISM (management). → Remember: certs validate — they don’t replace hands-on work. 👉🏻 Critical soft skills that actually get you hired - Analytical & skeptical thinking (especially with AI outputs) - Clear communication (translating tech to executives) - Collaboration & empathy (you’ll work with every department) - Lifelong learning mindset (the field moves FAST) 👉🏻 A builder’s portfolio > stacked certs** Write-ups of labs/CTFs, blog posts breaking down vulns, GitHub repos with detection rules, threat reports — these beat 10 more cert logos every time. Cybersecurity rewards curious, persistent people who treat defense like a craft. What’s one thing you’re focusing on right now to level up in cyber? Drop it below 👇🏻 hashtag #Cybersecurity hashtag #InfoSec -Daniel Johnson

🚨 NEW PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH: PQC Migration Timelines Excited to share my latest paper published in MDPI Computers: "Enterprise Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography: Timeline Analysis and Strategic Frameworks." The transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) represents a watershed moment in the history of our digital civilization. Organizations planning for a 3-5 year "upgrade" will fail. The reality is a 10-15-year systemic transformation. Key Contributions: 📊 Realistic Timeline Estimates by Enterprise Size: Small (≤500 employees): 5-7 years Medium (500-5K): 8-12 years Large (>5K): 12-15+ years ⚠️ Critical Finding: With FTQC expected 2028-2033, large enterprises face a 3-5 year vulnerability window—migration may not complete before quantum computers break RSA/ECC. 🔬 Novel Framework Analysis: Causal dependency mapping (HSM certification, partner coordination as critical paths) "Zombie algorithm" maintenance overhead quantified (20-40%) Zero Trust Architecture implications for PQC 💡 Practical Guidance: Crypto-agility frameworks and phased migration strategies for immediate action. Strategic Recommendations for Leadership: 1. Prioritize by Data Value, Not System Criticality: Invert the traditional triage model. Systems protecting long-lived data (IP, PII, Secrets) must migrate first, regardless of their operational uptime criticality, to mitigate SNDL. 2. Fund the "Invisible" Infrastructure: Budget immediately for the expansion of PKI repositories, bandwidth upgrades, and HSM replacements. These are long-lead items that cannot be rushed. 3. Establish a Crypto-Competency Center: Do not rely solely on generalist security staff. Invest in specialized training or retain dedicated PQC counsel to navigate the mathematical and implementation nuances. The talent shortage will only worsen. 4. Demand Vendor Roadmaps: Contractual language must shift. Procurement should require vendors to provide binding roadmaps for PQC support. "We are working on it" is no longer an acceptable answer for critical supply chain partners. 5. Embrace Hybridity: Accept that the future is hybrid. Design architectures that can support dual-stack cryptography indefinitely, viewing it not as a temporary bridge but as a long-term operational state. 6. Implement Automated Discovery: You cannot migrate what you cannot see. Deploy automated cryptographic discovery tools to continuously map the cryptographic posture of the estate, identifying shadow IT and legacy instances that manual surveys miss. The quantum clock is ticking. Start planning NOW. https://lnkd.in/eHZBD-5Y 📄 DOI: https://lnkd.in/ejA9YpsG #PostQuantumCryptography #Cybersecurity #QuantumComputing #PQC #InfoSec #NIST #CryptoAgility

By 2035, quantum computers could break today’s RSA/ECC, threatening everything from over-the-air updates to payments, V2X, charging, telematics, and dealer systems. And “harvest-now, decrypt-later” means data we encrypt today may be readable tomorrow. Thankfully, there’s a path forward with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). So here's what we’re doing (and what I recommend): 1️⃣ Prioritize what matters: Classify apps/data by sensitivity & lifespan (vehicles, keys, firmware, contracts). Tackle the critical 10% first. 2️⃣ Start pilots now: Stand up PQC for key exchange and signatures (NIST picks: CRYSTALS-Kyber, Dilithium, plus FALCON/SPHINCS+ where appropriate). Wrap legacy with interim controls where upgrades aren’t yet feasible. 3️⃣ Engineer for the edge/IoT: Plan for constrained ECUs and long service lives; align PQC with model year cycles and sunset plans to avoid hardware rip-and-replace. 4️⃣ Educate & govern: A cross-functional council (CISO, engineering, legal, procurement) to drive roadmap, metrics, and auditability. Quantum risk isn’t a future storm; it’s a countdown. Organizations that move now will secure their platforms and earn customer trust in the next digital economy. #Cybersecurity #PQC #RiskManagement 📸: BCG

The biggest myth I believed when starting cybersecurity. When I first started, I believed something that almost slowed down my entire journey. I thought technical skills were everything. I thought: 1️⃣If I learned enough tools, I’d succeed. 2️⃣If I memorized enough commands, I’d stand out. 3️⃣If I became technically perfect, I’d automatically be respected. So I locked myself in a bubble. →Labs. →Tutorials. →Certifications. ❌I ignored soft skills. ❌Ignored communication. ❌Ignored teamwork. All I focused on was tools and exploits.✅ But when I finally stepped into the real world. I got a reality check.💥 The best cybersecurity professionals weren’t just tool masters. They were: ➣Clear communicators. ➣Creative problem solvers. ➣Good listeners. ➣Team players. ↪️They didn’t just find vulnerabilities — they explained them to non-technical people.💪 ↪️They didn’t just escalate privileges — they understood business risks behind every vulnerability. Technical skills got me to the door. But mindset, communication, and collaboration opened it.🫰 If you’re just starting: Yes, sharpen your technical skills. But also sharpen your: ☞Curiosity ☞Patience ☞Storytelling ☞Empathy Because in cybersecurity, being technical is the baseline.🎯 Being valuable is what makes you unforgettable.💪 #CyberSecurity #TechnicalSkills #InfosecJourney #BeyondTools #CommunicationMatters #RealTalk

🚨 Everyone is talking about AI. Not enough people are talking about what happens to your encryption when quantum computing becomes practical. The reality: many organizations are years away from being ready for the cryptographic transition. In this new guide, I break down how Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is being integrated into FortiOS, what “quantum-safe” actually means, and the practical steps network and security engineers can take today to prepare. Topics covered: ✅ Post-Quantum Cryptography fundamentals ✅ Quantum-safe VPN considerations ✅ FortiOS support and implementation details ✅ Real-world deployment guidance ✅ Common misconceptions and planning tips The quantum era isn’t a future problem anymore. It’s a roadmap problem. How is your organization preparing for crypto-agility? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eeFCYXJ7 #CyberSecurity #Fortinet #FortiGate #PQC #PostQuantumCryptography #QuantumComputing #InfosecMonkey #NetworkSecurity #InfoSec #FortiOS #CyberDefense