Whether it's the great resignation or layoffs due to macroeconomic slowdown, the average tenure of a security professional has reduced to approximately 18 months. Successful cyber security professionals always seek a meaningful career and environment to support it. However, some of the top reasons why cyber security professionals leave their jobs are mainly skill gaps and reactive nature of most security jobs and as a result increasing high stress levels and burnouts. In this talk, we will present the popular Japanese concept “Flow of IKIGAI” that can be used to assist security professionals to embark on a purposeful career growth journey. Join us to learn how to discover your passion, build the necessary technical domain specific skills and soft skills to make your career profile indispensable. Understand the role networking and giving back to the community plays in creating a top-notch security career. Leadership will learn how to hire the best talent and build high performing security teams. The talk will also cover what it takes to create a thriving environment for security team members so that leadership never has to worry about the great resignations.

1. May 20th, 2023
IKIGAI for security
professionals
B sides Seattle

2. Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker and do
not necessarily represent her employer. References are provided to credit the original
source and or creators of the images!

3. 3
Image credit

4. 4
IKIGAI for Security Professionals
生きがい ために 安全 専門家

5. About Me
Trupti Shiralkar
Work Email ~ Trupti.Shiralkar@datadoghq.com
Personal Email ~ s.trupts@gmail.com
Linkedin ~ tru-shiralkar-0a085a8
● Mobile game developer turned security professional
- MS In Security Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Head of Software Security, Datadog
- Previously worked at Illumlo, Amazon, Q2Ebanking & HP
● When I am not doing security
- Travel
- Paint
- Read
● Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor
- Breathing exercises
- Meditation

6. Security professionals love their Job BUT ….
● Struggle with work Life Balance
● Overwhelming reactive and
unplanned work
● Skill set mismatch
● Lack diversity
● Burnout and fatigue
6

7. Financial Independence Retire Early
7

8. What keeps us going?
“Life is never made unbearable
by circumstances, but only by
lack of meaning and purpose”
8

9. Ikigai: Japanese secret to a joyful life
9
Image credit
● Japanese concept ~ reason for wake up in
the morning
● Philosophy that encompasses the idea of
finding purpose, fulfillment, and joy in life
● Framework for personal growth and well-
being
● IKIGAI is deeply rooted in Japanese culture

10. Ikigai: In terms of career
PASSION ~ What you love
• Something that ignites your
interest
• Things that genuinely you
are passionate about
• The activities and pursuits
that bring you joy,
enthusiasm, and a sense 10
Image credit

11. 45 Cyber Security Profiles across 10 Domains
11
Reference ~ https://cybersn.com/45-cybersecurity-roles/

12. 45 Cyber Security Profiles across 10 Domains
12
Reference ~ https://cybersn.com/45-cybersecurity-roles/

13. Ikigai: In terms of career
MISSION ~ What the world wants
• Identifying what is valuable and
beneficial to the world
• Using skills and talent to make
positive impact on the world
• Identify your organization’s mission,
vision and goals and see how you can
apply your skills
13
Image credit

14. Ikigai: In terms of career
VOCATION ~ What you are good at
• Understand your strengths
• Identify areas where you can apply
strengths and skills
• Leverage your abilities and natural
aptitude to excel
14
Image credit

15. IKIGAI is not …
15

16. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
16
Image1 credit
Image2 credit

17. Ikigai: In terms of career
17
Image credit
Profession~ What you can get paid for
• Apply skills to earn living
• Monetize and contribute to financial
well being
• Before accepting offer, research and
investigate salaries and comp
packages

18. If its not your IKIGAI, consider a Job Change!
● Personal and professional growth and
development
● To share Knowledge and skills with other
teams
Do not change the Job to …
18
Image credit Nik on Unsplash
● A way to get promoted faster
● A way to get away from
○ Challenging work
○ Team chemistry problems

19. 19
“ Our ikigai is different for all of us,
but one thing we have in common
is that we are all searching for
meaning.”

20. Josh Lea
Jonobie Michael
Seattle B Sides 2023
Conference Organizers

21. Question & Answers