Navigating the Cybersecurity Career Path

CHAPTER 9How Can I Manage Security Stress?

Summary

• Take care of yourself first: Stress can be positive, but negative stress impacts your personal and professional life. Do what you can to implement habits that reduce the impact of stress.
• Security stress is unique: It might be caused by others not understanding security, by security people prioritizing security above business objectives, or by leaders who think of security as an expense instead of as a strategic enabler.
• Minimize stress: Teach others about the benefits of security, align security with business outcomes, and get some sleep!
• Network: Get ideas on how to minimize security stress. Mingle with people who understand what you're dealing with.
• Stay curious: Teach your partners why security is important to you, and learn how to incorporate security into their roles in a meaningful way.

Let me begin by recognizing that stress is not inherently bad. Stress can be positive, too. Good stress can help us perform better, reach higher, and move faster. It can energize us and motivate us to do more. This chapter is not about that kind of stress. In this chapter, we will discuss negative stress — the kind that raises your cortisol levels, makes you anxious, and generally wears you down.

In the beginning of a career, stress is often caused by workload. Perhaps you have too much work to do and you aren't sure how to prioritize yourself. Perhaps you have not yet learned how to negotiate your workload with your manager. ...