Elevator Pitch
Cyber security attracts many neurodivergent & non-linear thinkers, providing the intellectual challenge they crave. Navigating the challenges of finding the right fit & supportive work environment helps harness the superpowers of diverse cognitive approaches to build a thriving & fulfilling career.
Description
Within the cyber security community, many recognize the importance of different ways of thinking and approaches to address the challenges the world is facing now and in the future. However, unsuitable working conditions and lack of support from peers and teammates may prevent individuals with diverse cognitive approaches from thriving and building a fulfilling career.
Recognizing and empowering the unique skills that non-linear and neurodivergent thinkers bring to a team or a problem to be solved, can greatly contribute to building more resilient cyber solutions for an organization.
This discussion’s goal is to help the audience identify some of the advantages these superpowers can bring to different areas of cyber security and in turn, empower cyber security professionals through the lived experiences of non-linear and neurodivergent thinkers. Harnessing these superpowers is a step towards flipping the status quo and often misunderstood narrative around individuals with diverse cognitive approaches.
Key takeaways will include: • Identifying how different cyber security domains and roles can provide both the intellectual challenge and the structured or stimulating environments that many neurodivergent and non-linear thinkers crave. • Tips for working conditions to support a fulfilling and empowering cyber security career. • How managers and teammates can foster and support a workplace that recognizes and supports these strengths.
Just as importantly, what this panel will not be discussing or addressing: • Discussion around diagnosis or legal considerations. • Detailed working accommodations or negotiating specific detailed accommodations based on diagnosis or legal considerations. • HR issues and concerns.
Notes
Technical requirements: Chairs and microphone(s) for the moderator and panelists. A PowerPoint presentation is planned and we will bring our own laptop. The panelists are all security industry professionals with multiple roles, backgrounds and lived experiences as individuals who have embraced and successfully leveraged the various aspects of non-linear thinking and neurodivergence. UPDATE: 3 Other panelists/moderator have been invited but PaperCall support tickets have not been resolved to include them in the invitations as Co-Presenters. Names of the security and privacy specialists are available upon request.