The results of our survey of cyber security professionals show that challenging high impact
work and continuing investment in training or more critical to attracting and keeping elite
cyber security professionals then competitive pay and benefits.
Having a flexible work schedule also ranked higher than pay. Ninjas also valued being able
to advance without having to assume management responsibilities significantly more highly
than non-ninjas.
There is evidence of what we call a “Kevin Durant effect.” Highly skilled professionals want
to work with others whose talent and work they respect and from (or with) whom they can
continue to learn.
We found a relationship between certain professional certification tests and those who
perform certain ninja tasks. Ninjas hold more and different professional certifications.