🧙♂️ The Fellowship Newsletter
Week 4 - Personal Values in Security
Hello friend,
Welcome to the fourth edition of The Fellowship Newsletter.
Today we talk about Values.
There has been much talk in the industry lately about ethics, missions, principles, values, and visions. In “security”, we are the ones people trust to prevent unwanted behaviour harming our customers, staff, and value-generating processes.
I’m a military veteran and a Security Risk Practitioner who worked in the physical side of the industry before moving into Information Security. While I have only been in InfoSec for a few years, I have been around the block a bit. I served nine years in the British Army and five years in physical security.
I do my job, and I do it well. People trust me because I am trustworthy. I have never given any of my employers or colleagues a reason to question my motives. My service has always been exemplary. Specific personal values are ingrained into my psyche that I live by. These values guide me through life and assist me when making choices.
These values come from many different places. Some were drilled into me in the army. Others were instilled into my life by loving parents. The important ones are the values that I have chosen for myself. It doesn’t matter where they entered my life. What matters is how they influence my behaviour and my actions. I have never written about them, so I am doing that today.
My Chosen Values
Let’s make this alphabetical because I can’t stand lists that aren’t.
To be accessible and inclusive: Able to be reached or easily obtained by all people.
I have always been aware of people who struggle to access buildings and services due to circumstances outside their control. It was only recently that I was encouraged to investigate this more. We need good people in the fight against Cybercrime. Your skin colour or lack of sight should not stop you from using your knowledge and abilities as a force for good. I will provide and encourage others to provide accessible and inclusive products and services.
To be accountable: The fact of being responsible for what you do and being able to give a satisfactory reason for it or the degree to which this happens.
I have made mistakes in life and my work; people always do. I am not perfect. The important thing for me is to hold myself accountable for my choices and actions. If I make a terrible choice, I will own it, learn from it, rectify any issues if they arise, and try not to repeat the same mistake.
To be benevolent: The quality of being kind and helpful.
Earth is a tough place to live. We are all trying to do our best to survive and live in comfort. I don’t know your struggles. I don’t want to make your day harder because I have had a tough one. If I can help you, I often will if doing so does not risk my life or values. This value drives my decision to partner with @CyBlack, @Cybersafe Foundation, and @TechVets. “A rising tide lifts all ships”.
To be courageous: Having or showing courage (the ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult situation).
Courage is not bravery. People mix this up all the time. Facing down a terrorist. Storming a beach in a war. That’s bravery. I’m talking about having the guts to do something your head is saying not to. Things like public speaking. Standing in front of a room of your peers and talking passionately about your work. That’s courageous. It could be doing something that might make you look stupid or foolish. It’s knowing the stakes are high but doing the thing anyway.
To be creative: Producing or using original and unusual ideas.
I like to build things. To create something that brings happiness to others, value to society, and satisfaction or value to my life. Creativity is enormous when we consider the common good. I have put smiles on the faces of thousands of people up and down the UK as a fire performer 🔥.
Being creative is also a massive driver for PolicyWizard. I have knowledge that can help others gain employment, improve security policies at their new employer, mitigate security risks, and prevent harm. I can only write a finite number of policies. If I teach 10,000 people to do it in the next 15 years, that impact is exponentially enormous.
To be ethical: Relating to beliefs about what is morally right and wrong (Morally: Based on principles that you or people generally consider right, honest, or acceptable).
This value does not require much explanation. When confronted with a decision, I will always act morally. I will use my values as a guide to make an ethical decision.
To be non-violent: Not involving fighting or the use of physical force.
As a military veteran and an ex-bouncer, this value surprises people. I don’t enjoy violence. I don’t like watching it, and I certainly don’t like taking part. I have been violent, and I have received violence. It’s part and parcel of growing up in a rough area and a huge part of military life.
I decided to refrain from using violence when I left the military. I became a father and wanted to show my kids that they didn’t need to live a life of violence. In my five years as a bouncer, I used non-violent communication and conflict resolution techniques to prevent violence. I became renowned for my cool head, proactive intervention, calm manner, and patience. I continue to use non-violent communication in my life.
This value does not prevent me from defending myself or others. Violence is an option; it’s one that I hope never to have to use again.
To be respectful: Showing politeness or honour to someone or something. (Honour: A quality that combines respect, being proud, and honesty.)
I respect myself and give respect to all others without question. When someone disrespects me, I will act with honour. We cannot control other people’s behaviour; we can only control how we react.
To self-actualise: A person’s desire to use all their abilities to achieve and be everything that they possibly can.
This value drives me forward. It makes me relentless. I have a vision for my future and am working incredibly hard to ensure it happens. That drive sees me writing a newsletter and dissecting my chosen values on a Saturday night. If doing this helps me to achieve my goals, the juice is worth the squeeze.
Final thoughts
Having solid values is how you build the foundations of a trusted relationship. As security practitioners, we should all look inside and determine our values. Hopefully, you have a bunch of good ones. We need people with good values. What values have you chosen? Consider writing a LinkedIn post about this newsletter and your values, and tag me if you do. I’d love to know 🙂.
New Services
Things have changed a bit on the PolicyWizard website. There are now two clear routes for everyone who reaches the home page. One for those that would like to learn at Wizard School, and one for those that would like Consultant. Take a look and let me know what you think.
Until the next adventure!
Stuart Wedge 🧙♂️
PolicyWizard
