Over the past year I have read and commented on many posts about the state of the security hiring market and thought I would share my recent personal experience of role hunting.

AI can supercharge security operations, but replacing entry‑level analysts outright would erode the talent pipeline and ultimately weaken both human expertise and the AI systems that depend on it. A balanced model where AI augments junior staff rather than displacing them protects long‑term resilience while still reaping automation’s gains.

“Pragmatic” has become a buzzword that can mask cost‑cutting and watered‑down security, putting organisations at greater cyber risk and marginalising CISOs who press for stronger safeguards. The article argues that true pragmatism should instead mean clearly defining security red lines, giving CISOs a central voice, and using continual risk assessment to align robust protection with business goals.

Security professionals often treat cybersecurity maturity ratings like outrunning a bear—aiming only to outpace their peers, but this focus on incremental scores may give leaders a false sense of safety and divert resources from higher‑impact risk‑reduction measures. Do these small, costly gains (e.g., moving from 3.5 to 3.8) actually lower breach odds?

Staff tasked with enforcing corporate policies (e.g., security, health & safety, HR) often face significant emotional stress and negative perceptions, yet existing research largely overlooks their well‑being compared with that of the policy‑followers they monitor. It calls for evidence‑backed techniques such as automation, behavioural “nudge” approaches, and reframing interactions to help enforcers lessen stress, improve compliance, and be viewed more positively by colleagues.

Cybersecurity is now a board‑level strategic risk which is impossible to eliminate entirely. Directors must view it through the same lens as other enterprise risks and not just as a technical issue.

Boards should define their risk appetite, embed risk‑based security frameworks and culture, and keep cyber governance on every agenda to drive resilient, business‑aligned protection.

The article explores the evolution of IT security from a confrontational approach to a collaborative partnership, emphasizing the importance of integrating security teams with infrastructure and business functions. This shift has led to improved compliance, reduced risk, and enhanced overall security through cooperation and mutual understanding.