The way Lianne Potter layers key concepts from anthropology over the challenges of #cybersecurity reveals deeply human needs that we're neglecting as a community. 💜 But she does this with kindness and compassion and in a way that makes people in security teams feel seen and heard.

In this conversation, Lianne also shares opportunities to change the culture of cybersecurity so that it serves better both those in it and those it's supposed to help.

It was *truly* wonderful to talk to her in the space of #cyberempathy: https://www.cyberempathy.org/episodes/empathy-over-ego-lianne-potter

#CyberEmpathy had many milestones this year and the most important one is YOU!

🤩This podcast exists and grows because you give it your time and energy.

💜 Help me understand how the ideas and inspiration from Cyber Empathy translate for you IRL:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEkflCyjv9ZVkjfSrmoTMIcagnQnjkoV5HgD4rXU9yLfjiKg/viewform

"One of the biggest myths society tries to sell us is the myth of 'different.'"

@JaysonEStreet was the first hacker I saw speak about empathy.

The year was 2017 and his talk was most likely the inception moment for #cyberempathy.

When I think of someone representative for the change to which I want to contribute in this space, I think of Jayson.

And this conversation perfectly describes why:

https://cyberempathy.org/episodes/why-being-kind-is-the-harder-thing-to-do

Season 4 of the #CyberEmpathy #podcast starts on a very personal note because, well, it's the only way I know how to do anything, tbh.

Got 17 minutes?

Get it here: https://cyberempathy.org/episodes/facing-fear-and-finding-joy

(Or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or Audible or Google Podcasts ooooor, my favorite, Overcast!)

Why do we need to talk about #empathy when there are so many problems to solve in #cybersecurity? 👉 If you've seen me champion empathy around here (and other corners of the web), it's because it plugs into 3 of our essential human needs:

💜 CONNECTION: we all need an emotional bond with someone who pays attention to us and cares about us to maintain our mental (and physical) health. We also need to be part of a community to develop and thrive. Empathy provides that.

💜 VALIDATION: to see someone else recognize our emotions and experiences as valid (and valuable) is essential to feel accepted and seen and/or heard. Knowing we're not the only ones to experience confusion, fear, doubt, and many other perfectly human emotions helps us understand, process, and overcome these blockers.

💜 SAFETY: empathy helps us feel safe enough to persevere in spite of our perceived misgivings. It provides an emotional safety net that gives us the courage to experiment, to trust (ourselves and others), to hope, and to dream.

You can choose to see empathy as a buzzword or dig deeper into its layers to discover the practical, palpable benefits you can draw from it.

What will you choose?

PS: The new #CyberEmpathy #podcast season starts tomorrow! :does a tiny happy dance:

"Doing the right thing isn't always easy," said Jayson E. Street in an episode we recently recorded for #CyberEmpathy*. I felt the need to visualize this reflection and also help you see the emotional labor behind empathy.

Without all these unseen layers, empathy is just a buzzword.

Without intent and putting in the effort, it never becomes a real ability.

#Empathy doesn't come easy, but it's one of those right things worth cultivating.

*Season 4 of the Cyber Empathy #podcast is coming this September.

My cybersecurity-loving 💜 beat fast last night! #CyberEmpathy won in both categories in which it was nominated at the 2023 European Cybersecurity Blogger Awards, exclusively through community votes.

🏆 What a privilege it is to do this project *with* people who care, *for* people who care!

This #podcast is all heart, which I believe we need more of to make this space better for all of us.

Thank you for nominating me, for voting for me, for giving me your time, your feedback, and your support!

I'm deeply grateful and truly happy because #CyberEmpathy is all about genuine connection and it seems to be playing its part in making that happen.

💜 https://cyberempathy.org 💜

Kudos to Eskenzi PR and Marketing for keeping this competition going for so many years and for making sure it remains community-driven!

#cybersecurity #empathy #EUSecBloggerAwards23

Regardless of the power, wealth, or influence a person or company might have, the only thing that can protect them from being hacked is another great (ethical) hacker.

Although the dark side of #cybersecurity has several routes to explore and experiment with, they all have the same destination, and – spoiler alert – it is *never* a happy place.

That’s why #empathy in cybersecurity is about picking a side: you either use your skills to harm people or to protect them from cybercriminals.

The incredibly talented and eloquent Jenny Radcliffe - The People Hacker joins the #CyberEmpathy podcast to highlight the role of personal values, ethical behavior, and how empathy supports both – and SO much more!

Tune in for the full conversation: https://cyberempathy.org/episodes/empathy-cybersecurity-picking-a-side

In 2017, I was an enthusiastic #cybersecurity newbie sitting front row at @jwgoerlich talk at DefCamp. 🕜 Today, I get to share a heartfelt conversation I had with him for the #CyberEmpathy podcast.

A LOT happened between these two moments in time.

The kindness, curiosity, and connection that Wolf showed back then drove me to pursue the same. This is why I'm delighted to introduce him to you (or help you get to know him better)!

💜Full episode here: https://cyberempathy.org/episodes/how-to-engage-the-human-os

In today's #CyberEmpathy episode, the brilliant Emma W. highlights how we can cultivate psychological safety in #cybersecurity:

🌱 Take in a lot of the complexity and simplify the narrative, clearly articulating the next few steps, even if they (inevitably) change.

🌱 Help people become comfortable with ambiguity by letting them know it's okay *not* to know what's around the corner.

🌱 Approach complex work with positive curiosity and inspire others to take this generous stance.

Emma brings levity, humanity, and #empathy to her work and contribution to the industry in a way that makes her unforgettable.

Enjoy this lovely new conversation that goes beyond technology and tactics: https://cyberempathy.org/episodes/creating-psychological-safety-in-cybersecurity