Why Do I Write...

Recently, I was presented with a question: Why Do I Write? As a writer, I thought I would share my response.

Words offer the means to meaning, 

and for those who will listen, 

the enunciation of truth. 

- V, V For Vendetta

Everyone writes for the same reason – to communicate a thought, feeling or idea. It can be as simple as a text message, as complicated as a technical whitepaper or as elegant as Shakespearean verse. Yet all are used to communicate. Why do I write? At the most basic level, I write to communicate, and because I generally have things to say.

• Writing is hard: Using the written word to express an idea is a difficult task. There is an aptitude for it, and it takes a certain amount of skill to convey an idea or emotion. I have never underestimated the skill of writing – it certainly does not come easy to most, and has not always come easy to me. You can always tell the skill level of a writer – how engaging it is, how it includes the reader, how it expresses the idea. None of these things are easy, but the best writers seem to have a way of producing words so that they flow onto the paper, and equally flow to the mind of the reader. 

• Writing is challenging: Using words to express an emotion or to deliver a message is a challenge. It is a particular challenge that I enjoy, as it can be a powerful method of self-expression. Finding the right tone, finding the right words, narrowing your audience, and crafting a dialogue between the writer and the audience is as difficult as it is rewarding. I think we can all remember a time when we read something – maybe as simple as an article in the news – that was particularly moving or pertinent. Those that can accept the challenge of using words to communicate have a power that no one can take from them.

• Writing is powerful: So many in the world do not have a voice. It is not because they do not have ideas, or have opinions to share. But they do not have a way to communicate those ideas in a way that is meaningful. I write because it is an outlet for me to express my thoughts and ideas, and – even occasionally – my emotions. I personally enjoy public speaking as well, but it is difficult to find an audience that is constantly available. Whereas writing is always – always available, always refreshing, always influencing. It becomes part of the record, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. Writing allows me to create a historical legacy.

I am privileged to have a profession where writing is an integrated part of the role. I spend hours every week sharing my thoughts about the latest in technical innovations, using words to describe the qualities or value of a particular technical solution. I get to shape my messages to specific audiences. And I know that my writing has an impact – literally tens of thousands of people read my written words every month.

Simply, I write because it is an extension of my abilities, my intellect and my soul.

CyberSecurity Predictions for 2018: Threat Analytic Services On-Demand Has Arrived

Happy New Year! 

I recently penned a piece for general distribution about cybersecurity predictions for 2018, this one on threat analytics.  the folks at Verdict (as well as several other media outlets) picked it up and published it.

You can find the original post here.

Move Over Netflix:
Threat Analytic Services On-Demand Has Arrived 

We are a world at war – and most people don’t even know it. It is not a traditional war with bombers, battleships and bazookas. Rather, it is being fought everyday by cyber soldiers, protecting governments and organisations from state-sponsored hackers and organised crime.

Unfortunately, most private enterprises and organisations do not have the resources to effectively combat coordinated cyberattacks – it isn’t their core business and information security resources are expensive and hard to come by.  But the picture isn’t as bleak as it sounds.

2018 will see cybersecurity-related services dramatically increase, especially around threat analytics. In the past, only the largest companies could afford to invest in the procurement, management and maintenance of threat analytics services (TAS), but now they are becoming readily available to customers on demand for whatever purpose needed. Maybe it’s a point-in-time situation, like incident response or strategic advisory to evaluate existing infrastructure, determine regulatory compliance, or confirm the veracity of a particular security architecture.

Cyberattacks will continue to increase. But organisations are no longer defenceless in the fight. TAS are not just for the big boys any more – every size company can take advantage of on-demand specialised services to improve their overall cybersecurity.