Welcome to the tenth edition of Career Compass by Avidity! In this issue, we explore important skills for career growth, discuss the latest cybersecurity threats, and discuss how the recent U.S. election might affect the global cybersecurity scene. Whether you want to grow your skills, stay updated on cybersecurity, or understand how global events might impact your career, we have useful insights for you.

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Career Development: Improving Your Negotiation Skills

No matter what field you’re in, being able to negotiate well is a key skill. Whether it’s talking about your salary, dealing with a client, or planning project deadlines, strong negotiation skills can make a big difference. Here’s how you can get better at negotiating:

1. Do Your Research: Before any negotiation, it’s important to be prepared. Know how much your role is worth in the market, learn about standard rates, and understand industry trends. Knowing what you bring to the table will put you in a stronger position.

2. Listen Actively: Negotiation is more about listening than talking. By understanding what the other side needs, you can find solutions that work for both sides. Ask open-ended questions to get more information and understand their point of view.

3. Know Your Limits: Before you negotiate, figure out your limits. What are your “must-haves”—whether it’s salary, benefits, or workload? Knowing your boundaries will help you avoid compromising on things that are important to you.

4. Use Empathy: Showing empathy helps build trust. When the other person knows you understand their side, they are more likely to work with you to find a good solution for both of you.

5. Embrace Silence: Don’t be afraid of silence during a negotiation. Pausing can give the other person time to think and might even lead to a better offer. Silence can be a powerful tool in your favour.

Cybersecurity Insights: Political Changes and Cybersecurity Risks

The recent U.S. election could have a big impact on cybersecurity policy and the broader digital world. Here’s what you should know:

How the U.S. Election Might Affect Cybersecurity

With a new administration in place, several important cybersecurity policies might change. The direction of government funding and regulation in the U.S. can have effects worldwide because the U.S. plays a big role in global cyber policy.

1. Stronger Cyber Defenses: The new administration has said they want to improve the country’s cybersecurity defences. This could mean more investment in partnerships between the government and private companies and stricter rules for protecting key areas like energy, finance, and healthcare.

2. More International Cooperation: Cybersecurity is a global issue. We may see more efforts to work with other countries to fight cybercrime, protect supply chains, and defend against state-sponsored cyber threats. How the U.S. handles partnerships, like those with NATO, will affect international cybersecurity cooperation.

3. Changes to Regulations: We might see changes in privacy laws and data security standards. Companies may face stricter requirements for handling data breaches, which could mean new rules to follow. It’s important for businesses to stay informed to avoid penalties.

4. More Cybersecurity Jobs: With new regulations and more government funding, we could see more cybersecurity jobs, especially in government agencies and companies that work with critical infrastructure. Entry-level jobs like Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst or IT Security Administrator could become more common as new projects are launched.

Cyber Threat Spotlight: Ransomware and How to Protect Yourself

Ransomware is still one of the biggest threats to people and organisations today. Here are the key trends to watch and how to stay protected:

1. Double Extortion Attacks: Attackers are not just locking files—they’re also stealing data and threatening to make it public if the ransom isn’t paid. This makes protecting your data and using network segmentation even more important.

2. Targeting Critical Infrastructure: Ransomware groups are increasingly going after critical services like healthcare and utilities. The damage is not just financial; it can disrupt important services that people rely on.

3. Protecting Yourself and Your Organisation:

   • Regular Backups: Make sure to back up important data and store it offline. This way, you’ll still have access to it even if your systems are attacked.

   • Patch Software: Keep all your software updated to avoid known weaknesses. Many ransomware attacks happen because systems aren’t up to date.

   • Employee Training: Ransomware often enters through phishing emails. Teaching your team to recognise phishing emails can greatly lower your risk.

Latest Developments: AI’s Impact on Cybersecurity in 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is continuing to change the field of cybersecurity. AI is helping detect threats, automate security tasks, and more. Here’s how AI is making an impact in 2024:

1. Better Threat Detection: AI is improving how we detect threats by finding patterns and unusual activities that humans might miss. Machine learning helps identify advanced cyberattacks more quickly and accurately.

2. Automated Security Actions: AI can help automate how we respond to common cyber incidents, like isolating infected systems. This can save time and limit the damage caused by an attack.

3. Deepfake Threats: Advanced AI tools are also increasing risks. Deepfakes—fake videos or audio generated by AI—are being used to trick people and companies, creating new challenges for cybersecurity professionals.

4. Stronger Authentication: AI is also used to make logging in more secure through biometric checks like facial recognition. This adds a layer of security on top of regular passwords.

5. AI vs. AI: Cybercriminals are also using AI to improve their attacks, creating a situation where AI is fighting AI. Defenders have to use advanced AI tools to keep up with attackers.

6. Risk of Overreliance: While AI helps a lot, relying too much on it can be risky. Automated systems can be tricked or miss new types of threats. Human oversight is still very important to make sure systems stay safe.

7. AI-Driven Phishing: AI is being used to create phishing emails that look very real and can bypass traditional security checks. This makes it even more important for everyone to stay alert.

AI is changing how cybersecurity works, but it’s a double-edged sword that must be handled carefully. Companies need to use AI wisely while maintaining human oversight to ensure their protection.

Featured Video: IT Support to Cybersecurity. Your Step-by-Step Guide!

In this video, I walk you through the journey from IT support to cybersecurity. You already have the essential skills—understanding systems, troubleshooting, and problem-solving—that can help you succeed in cybersecurity. I'll dispel common myths, explain what you really need to get started, and give you practical advice on how to leverage your existing experience to break into this in-demand field.

Thank you for reading this edition of Career Compass! We hope these insights help you improve your negotiation skills, stay informed about cybersecurity, and keep learning to move forward in your career.

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to cover in future editions, we’d love to hear from you! Don’t forget to share this newsletter with friends or colleagues who might find it helpful.

Keep levelling up your career. See you in the next edition! 👋