Euphemisms – They All Mean the Same Thing

It seems to be the in-vogue thing to do nowadays (RIF) and I am experiencing this first hand. Given a holiday surprise like thousands of other Americans, we are now in a fight for our economic lives. Just as information security postures are fleeting, so are the economic fortunes of Americans. 

Unemployment Hits 7.2%, 16-Year High

With the recession in full swing, the nation’s employers shed 524,000 jobs in December, the government reported Friday, and a rapidly deteriorating economy promised more significant losses in the months ahead. December’s job losses brought the total for 2008 to 2.6 million, spanning a recession that started 12 months ago. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/business/economy/10jobs.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

The so-called under-employment rate, which counts those part-time workers as well as those without jobs who have become discouraged and stopped looking for work, rose to a record 13.5% from 12.6%. Calculations for that measure began in January 1994. – CNN Money

We can improve our security postures through constant vigilance and activities such as

•      Awareness training

•      Policy development

•      Operating system hardening

•      Patch & vulnerability management

•      Behavior based – Anomaly based technology implementations

•      Etc.

Security postures weaken over time due to changing threats, technology, business changes, new exploits, new system functions, new regulations, and even layoffs.

How do we improve our continued employment posture? Getting certified, advanced training courses, additional college courses, a Masters degree; these can all help. Building internal relationships with influential leaders can also help. But this requires access to such people as well as constant vigilance. Meeting and exceeding your assigned goals and keep costs below given spending levels can also assist but does it really matter in tough economic times such as the one we are in now?

As employment rolls continue to decline, creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance are all required. Sometimes, it truly is always darkest before the dawn. There is opportunity in all change, you just need to look for it.

So, if you know of anyone looking for someone of my skill and experience, you know where to find me (along with thousands of others …).

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbardin

Helpful links and other info:

https://www.boston.com/jobs/galleries/mass_layoffs_2008/

https://www.boston.com/jobs/galleries/overcoming_a_layoff/

https://www.boston.com/jobs/bighelp/