97 Things Every Information Security Professional Should Know

Chapter 41. Apply Agile SDLC Methodology to Your Career

Keirsten Brager

Back in the day, employees could plan to work for one or two companies over their entire careers. The paths were linear and typically well-defined, providing a clear path to achieve performance-based or tenure-related promotions. Those days are over, so you must plan accordingly.

Instead of expecting your career to follow a linear or a sequential path, I propose we start normalizing the application of the Agile methodology to our careers. Using this framework, careers are planned in two- to four-year sprints with clearly defined goals and iterations along the way. Flexibility is built into the design, and the small sprints include a focus on gaining specific skill sets, networking opportunities, and closing the pay equity gap. There are plenty of studies and social media conversations to illustrate how staying at one company stunts income growth. If companies will not pay and promote equitably, then employees should be comfortable applying the Agile SDLC methodology to promote themselves regularly.

Secure Your Identity and Assets

New people and those interested in the field: one of the best ways to learn about securing endpoints and identities is to start by protecting your own:

• Secure your home network.

• Disable unnecessary ports and services.

• Harden your personal devices: most product have online guides. ...