The Benefits of Developing People Skills That Are Missing From Today’s Cybersecurity Teams

Why tomorrow’s cybersecurity leaders will rise not through deeper technical mastery, but through empathy, translation, and human connection.

In this episode of The Lock & Key Lounge, host Matt Calligan explores what he calls “The Humanity Firewall,” highlighting an often-overlooked truth in cybersecurity: the most critical skill gap isn’t technical, but human. From communication breakdowns—like CISOs feeling underfunded while boards believe budgets are sufficient—to the impact of soft skills on program effectiveness, Matt makes the case that tomorrow’s cybersecurity leaders will rise not through deeper technical expertise but through trust-building, clear communication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to influence people. He’s joined by Dominique DeVaux Jeffords, Senior Manager of Cyber Resiliency at a major U.S. telecom, who brings firsthand insight into why human skills are now essential to cyber resilience.