Strategic Cybersecurity Leadership: Managing Across Generations

New Insights from INE Security on Leading Multi-Generational Cybersecurity Teams

/EIN News/ -- Cary, NC, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  As cyberattacks surge to record levels and security teams face mounting pressure, INE Security is releasing insights on what may be the industry's most overlooked advantage: the strategic blending of multi-generational talent. With Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z professionals now working side-by-side in security operations centers worldwide, organizations that effectively harness these diverse perspectives are demonstrating superior threat detection and response capabilities.

The cybersecurity workforce gap now exceeds 4.7 million positions worldwide, according to ISC2's 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. As professionals at different stages of their cybersecurity careers work side-by-side, organizations must adapt their management approaches. 

"What we're hearing from our enterprise partners is that soft skills are as critical as technical skills," said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. "The best security teams today are the ones where leaders know how to blend the experience of seasoned professionals with the fresh perspectives of younger team members. It's not about catering to different generations – it's about creating an environment where these differences become strengths."

Based on industry research and client feedback, INE Security’s analysis identifies four practical approaches for cybersecurity leaders:

1. Mix Teams to Share Strengths

Different generations bring complementary skills to security work. Research from Appgate shows that experienced professionals often excel at risk assessment and business communication. Meanwhile, younger team members frequently show strengths in adapting to new tools and spotting emerging threats. Security leaders who deliberately mix team compositions for projects report fewer blind spots and more creative solutions. 

2. Offer Training Options That Work for Everyone

Research has found significant differences in how security professionals prefer to learn. A study by NTT revealed that younger professionals often prefer self-directed online learning, while senior practitioners typically get more value from structured mentoring relationships. 

INE Security’s Skill Dive CTF collections are a particularly effective solution for bridging these generational learning gaps. The Capture The Flag exercises create natural opportunities for cross-team collaboration in a situational, live-fire environment designed to appeal to security professionals of all ages. More experienced team members can mentor younger colleagues through live problem-solving scenarios, sharing hard-earned tips, tricks, and tools, while newer team members bring fresh perspectives to traditional challenges. Organizations report that these types of engaging training exercises not only build practical skills but also strengthen team cohesion and cooperation. 

3. Speak Everyone's Language

The generations communicate differently, too. Data from SHRM shows that each generation has distinct communication preferences and styles. Research found that over 80% of younger team members want regular, casual feedback and collaborative digital tools, while more experienced security veterans often prefer more formalized communication channels.

Smart security leaders are creating communication systems that cater to both preferences – using multiple channels for critical updates while maintaining a consistent core message.

4. Balance Risk Management and Innovation

One of the most valuable tensions in multi-generational teams involves risk tolerance. Research from Help Net Security found that under-30s are more likely to consider paying a ransom demand to hackers (39%) than over-30s (30%), highlighting different approaches to cybersecurity incidents. Effective leaders create frameworks that maintain essential security controls while encouraging controlled innovation. 

These insights come as security teams face evolving threats combined with talent shortages. Teams that successfully blend perspectives across generations consistently spot potential problems that more homogeneous groups miss. INE Security works with organizations to build security skills at all career levels through its training platform, cybersecurity certifications, and leadership development resources.

For more information about these insights or to learn more about INE Security's cybersecurity training, visit www.ine.com. 

About INE Security:

INE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and certification. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE Security’s suite of learning paths offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity and is committed to delivering advanced technical training while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career.

Kathryn Brown
                    INE
                    917-715-0911
                    kbrown@ine.com