In an area as dynamic and fast-paced as cyber security it should come as no surprise that the skill set required for those needed to fill jobs in information security, risk analysis, IT risk and data analytics is constantly evolving. As technologies advance, the threats and types of attacks progress right along with them and so too the technological antidotes to thwart them; so what is the core criteria that makes for a great cyber security professional? Innovative Thinking The ability to think outside the box is only one element of this skill, which also requires someone working in cyber security to keep track of developments in the field via news channels, the internet and social media. Cyber security is the metaphorical city that never sleeps so its worker bees need to stay tuned to the buzz to avoid missing valuable developments that may threaten the security of data. People Skills Soft skills are just as important as the technical expertise required for cyber security jobs as much of what poses a threat to data security are the people to whom the data belongs. These are also the literal gatekeepers to a great deal of the data being accessed by cyber criminals. Data Analytics To work in cyber security you essentially have to be a data whisperer. The bulk of what cyber security rests on is analysing large amounts of data so individuals with a scientific mind who are able to funnel data from multiple sources and unscramble it into something that...