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.

William Boelcke spent the years 1998 to 2000 with the U.S. Air Force. He’d spend the next 18-plus years battling mental health issues and substance abuse. Two years ago, in a treatment facility in Rockford, Ill., Boelcke was introduced to BraveHearts and its equine-assisted therapy program. The non-profit organization based in Illinois has been working with veterans, providing free equine-assisted therapy and a place of calm and acceptance, since 2007.

The close of 2020 is fast approaching, and many security professionals have experienced a wide swing in career highs and lows during this challenging year. Many shifts were obviously pandemic-related. Organizations were either forced to consider business realignment or utilized the upheaval to move in a direction that may have been already under consideration. Regardless of the circumstance, the result was a reduction in opportunities in the security profession for some, and career advancement for others.

When I first entered the security industry, it was in the early 2000s. There was no social media, no iPhones, no podcasts. My first security tradeshow happened to be ISC West. Not only was I overwhelmed by the technology and the learning curve of understanding organizational and enterprise-level risks, mitigation and solutions, but I was struck by the sheer size of the show.

During your security career, it is highly likely at some point that you will come across someone in a leadership role whose personality and style characteristics create an environment that is toxic and stressful. If you are in the unfortunate position of working for that individual while you are seeking new career opportunities, it may be time to reflect on any early warning indicators you may have missed.