Dave On Cyber

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready, the teacher disappears. — Lao Tzu

What’s Lao trying to convey?

You are a student. You are also a teacher.

Learning new skills and acquiring appropriate cybersecurity domain knowledge is not limited to cracking an interview, job security or advancing the career.

Learning and sharing what you know is an attitude and way of life.

Half of the job is complete if you can motivate yourself. Achieving a gold standard certificate like CISSP requires self-study, dedication and discipline.

The 10 Japanese concepts are popular on the Internet for living a better life. I revisit these concepts from the lens of cybersecurity certification study.

1. Oubaitori (oh-buy-toe-ree)

Never compare yourself.

Many people ask me how long it takes to pass CISSP.

I had the same question. Some people have cracked CISSP in 2 weeks. It takes 3 to 6 months for most people. It took me more than a year and two attempts.

The reality is that the journey to pass any certification or learn any new skill is dynamic. Same destination. Different journey. You cannot compare your study timeline with anyone.

Learning is like planting a seed. For some, it sprouts early. For some, it takes time. But it sprouts for everyone as long as you give time and nutrition.

2. Kaizen (kai·zn)

Continuously improve.

As stereotypical as it sounds, there is always room for improvement.

Achieving certification does not mean the end of the study. It’s the beginning. I understood risk management for the CISSP exam. However, after passing the exam, I relearned risk responses with another context.

3. Wabi-Sabi

Embrace imperfection.

The Japanese philosophy acknowledges three basic tenets:

• Nothing lasts, nothing is complete.
• Accept your own flaws and those of others.
• Find beauty in imperfection.

Your vulnerability is a bridge between your inner (WABU, 侘ぶ) and outer world (SABU, 寂ぶ). Accepting the flaw is the beginning of learning.

English is my second language. The CISSP exams require a solid grip on English, such as double negative questions and practice in identifying keywords. I had to invest a reasonable amount of time learning words, their meaning and interpretations to understand the context of a question.

You have to think like a manager for the CISSP exam. My background is technical. So, I had a big learning curve to shift my paradigm from solving problems to fixing processes.

Imperfection finds new ways. Perfection is the dead end.CISSP is for slow readers.

4. Gaman

Have dignity during duress.

Muscles only grow when you break them with intense exercise. Hard times are the opportunity to build perseverance and strength.

After failing the CISSP exam after the first attempt, I didn’t want to study. However, I reminded myself that it’s not the end of the world. I follow a simple ritual to rejuvenate myself.

Disconnect from the Internet. Take a long walk. Relax. Have patience. Reflect. Start again.

5. Ikigai

Know your reason for being.

People leave bed to chase their dreams, such as achieving CISSP. What makes you wake up after you pass CISSP?

Another certification?

What will drive your morning after that?

Knowledge without applying is like throwing a jumbo pizza in the bin. What’s the point of preserving the information if it’s not useful?

Ikigai is the intersection of what you know, what you love, who you are and what you do.

I shared my CISSP handwritten notes on the Internet in 2023. More than 3000+ learners downloaded from 60+ countries. Passing CISSP made me happy, but knowing that my notes are helpful to many worldwide gave me goosebumps!

The sharing experience and support from the cybersecurity community triggered a new mission and vision.

My Ikigai is to share my knowledge through digital sketches, articles and short films with simplicity, entertainment and minimalism to inspire people to learn cybersecurity.

Take your own time. Connect the dots. Discover your Ikigai. Start your mission today.

6. Shikita Ga Nai

Accept and let go.

This Japanese word relates to ancient Greek and Hindu philosophies.

“We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” – Epictetus

“You have a right to perform your prescribed duties but are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.” – Bhagavad Gita

You can study all the material available on the Internet. However, you never know how the exam will turn out. CISSP is an exam in which you will never feel confident. Even after completing the exam, you will have self-doubt.

That’s normal.

Whether you pass or fail. Accept the outcome. Just let it go.