Imposter Syndrome is a common feeling among people who work in cybersecurity. It is the feeling of not being good enough, despite having the necessary skills and experience. As a security professional, I have felt this way many times. I have been taking some steps to overcome this feeling and build my confidence lately.

Identifying causes

The Imposter Syndrome affecting professional can stem from a variety of causes.

  • Family upbringing can play a significant role in how individuals perceive their abilities and confidence in the workplace.
  • Overpraising or criticizing a person’s performance can contribute to either phenomenon.
  • Transitions and trying new things can also affect self-perception and confidence, particularly when individuals are new to a role or task.
  • Similarly, taking on new cybersecurity responsibilities or roles can cause individuals to experience either the Dunning-Kruger effect or Imposter Syndrome.
  • Social anxiety can also lead to a lack of confidence in one’s abilities and feeling like a fraud in the cybersecurity industry
  • Lack of visual or execessive external pressures also can contribute to imposter syndrome in the industry.

Most importantly, I have come to realize that personality traits play a significant role in experiencing imposter syndrome. In my case, I have identified that I possess traits such as low self-efficacy, neuroticism and perfectionism which have caused anxiety and triggered feelings of inadequacy in new roles and settings in the past. To overcome this, I have started reading more about it and have found some helpful tips to manage it, here I want to share such tips.

Overcoming the feeling

It is beneficial to begin by posing some simple questions to yourself.

  • What are my fundamental self-perceptions?
  • Do I acknowledge myself as deserving of affection and acceptance as I am?
  • Do I feel obliged to be flawless to earn the approval of others?

To answer this questions and to move past these feelings, I needed to become comfortable confronting some of the deeply ingrained beliefs I hold about myself. This exercise was hard because I might not even realize that I hold them. Here are some of the things I have started doing:

  • Seeking feedback: I ask for feedback from friends and colleagues to gauge how I’m doing and identify areas where I can improve. This feedback has been constructive and positive, reminding me that I am a valuable member of the team.

  • Connecting with others and sharing my feelings: I am working remotely this days and this has become little hard but I am using virtual medium for this. I follow several communities on Discord and Twitter and try to attend in-person events as it is possible to connect with other professionals who share similar experiences and challenges. Talking to others who have gone through similar struggles has been reassuring and provided a sense of community. Talking to other people about how I am feeling has been helpful. Irrational beliefs tend to fester when they are hidden and not talked about. Opening up about my struggles has helped me realize that I am not alone and that many others have experienced similar feelings.

  • Finding a mentor: I have found a mentor who provides guidance, support, and perspective, and helps me navigate the challenges of working in cybersecurity. They have also helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses and provided constructive feedback.

  • Challenging negative thoughts: I challenge negative self-talk by focusing on evidence that supports my abilities, and remind myself of the positive feedback I have received.

  • Practicing self-care: I take care of myself both physically and mentally by exercising, eating healthily, getting enough sleep, and taking breaks when needed. Practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing has also helped reduce stress and anxiety.

  • Acknowledging my accomplishments: I remind myself of my achievements and the hard work that went into them. Celebrating my successes has helped me build my confidence.

  • Stop comparing yourself to others: Comparing yourself to others in social situations can fuel feelings of inadequacy and a sense of not belonging. Instead, try to focus on actively listening to what the other person is saying and showing genuine interest in learning more. This can help shift your focus away from negative self-talk and towards building positive connections with others.

  • Continuous learning: Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and I make sure to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. This has helped me feel more competent and confident in my abilities. Take baby steps. Don’t focus on doing things perfectly, but rather, do things reasonably well and reward yourself for taking action. For example, in a group conversation, offer an opinion or share a story about yourself.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome is a journey, and it takes time and effort. But with litle steps, you will be slowly build confidence and feel more comfortable in my role. I have been practicing it from little over past 6 months and I could see some changes in my behaviors.