Technical skills get all the attention in our industry. Certifications, coding abilities, network configurations – these become the focus. Yet I keep noticing something else that separates effective tech professionals from the rest. Writing.
Reading Gio’s thoughts on writing in tech resonated. He observes how writing clarifies thinking while building professional credibility. In cybersecurity, this matters deeply. When I explain a security vulnerability to non-technical executives, clear writing bridges the knowledge gap. When documenting a penetration test (that’s testing systems for security weaknesses), precise language ensures fixes happen correctly.
Many technical people avoid writing. They see it as separate from real work. But consider incident reports. A poorly written account of a data breach causes confusion. A clear one drives action. Or think about open-source contributions. Projects thrive when documentation explains things simply.
Gio suggests starting small. Write internal documentation first. Share knowledge in team chats. The key is consistency, not perfection. Daily practice builds confidence. I started with internal wiki edits years ago. Those small steps led to client reports, then conference talks, then this blog.
Actionable steps you can take today:
1. Dedicate 15 minutes daily to writing about something you learned
2. Before sending any work email, read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing
3. Contribute to documentation in your company’s internal knowledge base
4. Share a technical concept explanation on your LinkedIn profile
In African tech communities like Kenya’s iHub or Nigeria’s CcHub, writing plays a crucial role. Local developers create tutorials solving region-specific problems. Cloud security engineers document configurations for businesses using mobile money systems. Their writing makes global knowledge locally relevant.
Good technical writing follows basic principles. Use short sentences. Avoid jargon when possible. Explain acronyms like IAM (identity and access management) on first use. Structure thoughts logically. These apply whether you’re in San Francisco or Nairobi.
The cybersecurity skills gap keeps growing. Clear writing multiplies expertise. One well-written guide can train dozens. A precise vulnerability report prevents future breaches. Your words extend your technical impact beyond what you can touch personally.
Start where you are. Write one clear paragraph today. Help someone understand something better tomorrow. The keyboard can be as powerful as any coding framework when used intentionally.
