![The Edge Logo The Edge Logo](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt6d90778a997de1cd/blt530eb1f4e672eb44/653a71690e92cc040a3e9d6d/Dark_Reading_Logo_TheEdge_0.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Cybersecurity In-Depth: Feature articles on security strategy, latest trends, and people to know.
10 Holiday Gifts for Stressed-Out Security Pros
These office giving-friendly fidgets, stress balls, brain teasers, and more are perfect to calm the most harried cybersecurity professionals.
November 30, 2023
![Businesswoman with ponytail in black suit and businessman in black suit with laptop sit at office desk with stack of presents, look at laptop Businesswoman with ponytail in black suit and businessman in black suit with laptop sit at office desk with stack of presents, look at laptop](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt6d90778a997de1cd/blt21e270accde00c27/6567e265c473c3040a1c0b07/workpresents-Zoonar_GmbH-alamy.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Source: Zoonar GmbH via Alamy Stock Photo
Help a security veteran vent their pent-up frustration for the eleventieth time they hear about an exposed AWS bucket with these delightful stress balls. Bonus is they can be squeezed to make the exact expression a CISO makes when they find out about a material data breach.
Fidgets aren't just for third-graders. Cyber executives or technical pros who have a hard time making it through long meetings without squirming may appreciate a fancy fidget ring. They're tasteful, come in a range of styles, and can be discreetly spun even in an in-person meeting.
There's no big gimmick here — these are just a bunch of little magnets that can be scrunched together, shaped, and fiddled with. But this magnet putty set is infinitely satisfying to play with absentmindedly while talking on the phone or thinking through work issues.
Nothing beats the post-breach disclosure blues like a little light meditation. Arranging this miniature Zen garden can help transport a security pro to their inner happy place, if only for a couple of minutes at a time.
A low-key Rubik's cube-like puzzle and fidget in one, Shashibo cubes are a great alternative to the typical stress-ball office gift. Consisting of multiple magnetic components that can be twisted into 70 different shapes, they're a great way keep a stressed-out security pro's hands busy on a long day of conference calls.
If you're thinking of going with a perpetual motion desk gadget to mesmerize your recipient's stress away, ditch the ho-hum clicking balls of a Newton's cradle and opt for a cool gyroscope instead. This one is heavy-duty and looks slick enough to stylishly decorate a professional's desk.
For teams taking up a collection for the boss, a gift card to a spa is probably the fast track to relaxation central — but if you want to tailor it to the crypto geeks and lock-picking fanatics out there, consider giving the card in a puzzle box like this one. A little brainteaser will get their mind off of justifying security spend.
Deliver some lulz and a little aromatherapy relaxation with a smart-aleck scented candle. There are plenty of sayings that will resonate with an overworked security pro, some more G-rated in their language than others.
Meditation cards and affirmation books can be valuable, but let's get real. Most security folks are sarcastic as heck and tend to consider them a little cheesy. That's not true of a deck of these cards, which offer affirmation "without the self-helpyness." A great gem to toss into a gift basket.
A gift that's practical and a little bit silly, this magnetic pen can offer a fun outlet for "neuro-spicy" security pros to fidget while they think over tough InfoSec problems. The segments can be crafted into various poses for a little on-desk creative expression.
A gift that's practical and a little bit silly, this magnetic pen can offer a fun outlet for "neuro-spicy" security pros to fidget while they think over tough InfoSec problems. The segments can be crafted into various poses for a little on-desk creative expression.
Whether it's a CISO feeling the anxiety of potentially being an organizational scapegoat or a SOC analyst drowning in alerts, cybersecurity pros are constantly feeling the wear and tear of daily, existential work pressure. As security teams figure out what to get their Secret Santa recipients or contribute to the White Elephant gift exchange over the holidays this year, maybe stress relief should be the name of the game. The following are some great suggestions for givers seeking a peaceful option to gift stressed-out cyber practitioners.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like
CISO Perspectives: How to make AI an Accelerator, Not a Blocker
August 20, 2024Securing Your Cloud Assets
August 27, 2024