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Synergies in the Cybersecurity profession: Exploring the Interplay of Hard Skills, Soft Skills, and Team Organization in Penetration Testing

Bengtsson, Alexander LU and Sirviö, Elias (2024) SYSK16 20241
Department of Informatics
Abstract
This thesis investigates the enhancement of technical tasks in penetration testing through the integration of soft skills, contrasting them with hard skills within the cybersecurity profession. The research utilized a conceptual framework developed for this study, alongside empirical data gathered from semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 3 penetration testers and 2 in-formation security specialists. The main finding is that while both soft and hard skills are es-sential for the profession, soft skills significantly enhance the effectiveness of technical tasks. Effective communication is identified as an element that improves technical execution in both traditional work settings and more flexible environments. Soft skills were... (More)
This thesis investigates the enhancement of technical tasks in penetration testing through the integration of soft skills, contrasting them with hard skills within the cybersecurity profession. The research utilized a conceptual framework developed for this study, alongside empirical data gathered from semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 3 penetration testers and 2 in-formation security specialists. The main finding is that while both soft and hard skills are es-sential for the profession, soft skills significantly enhance the effectiveness of technical tasks. Effective communication is identified as an element that improves technical execution in both traditional work settings and more flexible environments. Soft skills were found to not only promote better teamwork but also to strengthen the management of client relationships and project coordination. This study demonstrates that soft skills are integral to optimizing tech-nical processes in penetration testing, facilitating better outcomes in various work scenarios. (Less)
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author
Bengtsson, Alexander LU and Sirviö, Elias
supervisor
organization
course
SYSK16 20241
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Cybersecurity, Computer Security, Penetration Testing, Skills, Abilities, Team Organization, Collective Efficacy, Information Systems
language
English
id
9156762
date added to LUP
2024-06-03 16:11:22
date last changed
2024-06-03 16:11:22
@misc{9156762,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates the enhancement of technical tasks in penetration testing through the integration of soft skills, contrasting them with hard skills within the cybersecurity profession. The research utilized a conceptual framework developed for this study, alongside empirical data gathered from semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 3 penetration testers and 2 in-formation security specialists. The main finding is that while both soft and hard skills are es-sential for the profession, soft skills significantly enhance the effectiveness of technical tasks. Effective communication is identified as an element that improves technical execution in both traditional work settings and more flexible environments. Soft skills were found to not only promote better teamwork but also to strengthen the management of client relationships and project coordination. This study demonstrates that soft skills are integral to optimizing tech-nical processes in penetration testing, facilitating better outcomes in various work scenarios.}},
  author       = {{Bengtsson, Alexander and Sirviö, Elias}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Synergies in the Cybersecurity profession: Exploring the Interplay of Hard Skills, Soft Skills, and Team Organization in Penetration Testing}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}