Security search firms are frequently contacted by job seekers who reach out to request the recruitment company assist them in finding a new job. Inquiries come from professionals and executives in various stages of their public or private sector careers.

We have previously talked about many aspects of how to advance your security career. This includes having a thorough understanding of both soft and operational skills sought after by organizations. The ability to execute on these attributes is valued when companies look for top talent for senior level security roles.

Unfortunately, diversity is still underrepresented in security. Our profession continues to struggle to attract and/or advance diverse candidates into leadership ranks in numbers that accurately represent a cross section of the working population.

The International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) is announcing today that funding has been secured for a security research project that will aim to provide comprehensive data on the roles and responsibilities of today's security officers, including insights into their ever-evolving role.

Barring winning a major lottery or inheritance, during a 40+ year working life in the security profession, security leaders will likely make a dozen or more job changes. While some of these may be significant responsibility shifts within a single organization, in today’s environment it is likely that a person will be changing organizations and even the type and/or responsibilities of various roles. One of those changes may include self-employment. Here’s what you need to know to ponder the transition.

Michael Oberlaender has had cybersecurity leadership positions and CSO/CISO titles at enterprises around the world. He’s recovered companies from data breaches, built cyber-hardening strategies and policies, implemented cybersecurity budgets, forged relationships and communications with the C-suite, analyzed risks, and dealt with privacy laws around the world.

As what has been a unique and difficult year for many finally comes to a close, I find I have been engaging in a significant number of conversations regarding what the future holds for security careers in these challenging market conditions.

The Electronic Security Association (ESA) developed the ESA Youth Scholarship Program — a philanthropic endeavor that aims to support the futures of children of first responders (including police, firefighters, EMT). Applications are now open for high school seniors.