4 Surprising reasons to pursue a career in cybersecurity

So many of the cybersecurity leaders at Black Hat MEA tell us that cyber needs everyone. As an industry and a field of study, we’re moving away from the outdated idea that cyber is just for tech people; because if we want to foster cyber resilience, we need to bring in perspectives and skills from every area of society. 

And we have to get the word out. To welcome more diverse talent into the sector, we have to make it clear that a vast array of skill sets and backgrounds are welcome here. 

Here are four qualities that make a strong cybersecurity practitioner – and none of them are just about technical skills. 

1. Cybersecurity needs talented business people 

If you want to launch a cybersecurity startup, you need business acumen as well as technical skills. And if you don’t have a business background yourself, you might need to bring in someone who does. 

When we interviewed Imran Parray (Founder and CEO at Snapsec), he said: 

“If I were to start over, I would focus more on the business side from the beginning. Tech founders often underestimate the importance of the business aspects of running a company, concentrating too much on the technical side. Even if you have the best product, if you don't have the ability to market it effectively and bring it to the market, no one will use it. Balancing technical excellence with strong business strategies is crucial for success.”

2. Neurodiversity can be a strength in cyber 

Stuart Seymour (CISO at Virgin Media) spoke generously about his experience of building a career in this sector with dyslexia. 

“My neurodiversity I believe has significantly helped me in my career. I have been able to see things differently and sometimes arrive at solutions quicker. This has played out in cyber incident response, where often I just started at the problem backwards and followed a chain of events from back to front.”

Where neurodiversity is often perceived as a challenge, it can in fact be advantage – as long as neurodiverse cybersecurity practitioners are offered a professional environment that allows them to work to their strengths. 

“Dyslexia is, for me, about thinking differently or another perspective,” Seymour added. “It should not be seen as a limiter. I really do think that neurodiversity is a massive plus – in the right role – in cyber. I actively recruit neurodiverse candidates for specific roles.”

Read more about Seymour’s perspective on the value of neurodiverse cybersecurity practitioners in our full interview with him, here. 

3. If you have a background in psychology you’ll be a step ahead of adversaries 

We asked Jason Lau (CISO at Crypto.com) what advice he’d give to his younger self, and he said: 

“I would advise my younger self to take more courses on psychology. Many may find this interesting and unusual, but actually, when you think about it, understanding human behaviour is crucial for anticipating and mitigating cybersecurity threats.”

Threat actors are always trying to outsmart cybersecurity teams. And in order to stay ahead, cybersecurity teams need people who understand the psychology of cyber criminals and can predict their next moves. 

“Knowing what motivates threat actors and how they think can enhance strategies and responses to attacks – both insider threats and external threats to the business…” Lau said, “...this insight is invaluable for a CISO, as it helps in developing more effective defence mechanisms and fostering a proactive rather than reactive security posture.”

4. And cybersecurity definitely needs women 

Increasingly, women are entering cybersecurity roles at every level, including leadership positions. At Black Hat MEA 2024 we met cybersecurity leader and influencer Caitlin Sarian, also known as Cybersecurity Girl, and asked her what advice she’d give to women considering a career in this sector. 

She said: 

“Just jump in. Don’t be nervous, we need you, there are all types of people in cyber, we need every type of person we need the experience that you bring to the table, and it’s incredible – there are so many amazing women here already. And if you want to join, you’ll be another amazing woman in cyber.”

Should you work in cyber? 

If you’re asking this question then we think the answer is simple: Yes. You should. It’s not just about tech; with a huge variety of roles and a burning need for diverse experiences and skill sets, there is absolutely a place for you in the field of cybersecurity. 

Come to Black Hat MEA 2025 to see for yourself – and meet the people who could be your future mentors or employers. 

See you there.