Spotting Security Charlatans: 10 Telltale Tactics to Watch Out For
Spotting a charlatan in your security team? Look out for tactics like taking pot shots, overpromising, and burying your best work. These fraudsters thrive on distractions and cliches, making it crucial to stay focused and not fall for their tricks. Remember, the charlatan’s true colors will eventually show!

Hot Take:
Charlatans in cybersecurity are like those annoying pop-up ads — they promise a lot, deliver little, and generally make life more complicated. While most security professionals are like the sturdy antivirus programs we rely on, the charlatans are the malware sneaking around, trying to get a free ride on everyone else’s hard work. So remember, folks, while you’re out there debugging the world, keep an eye out for the real bugs in your team!
Key Points:
- Charlatans target successful peers to safeguard their own facade.
- They employ tactics like subtle insults, invented accusations, and distractions to manipulate the team.
- Charlatans overpromise and underdeliver to keep others off their scent.
- They use clichés to seem relatable but offer no real substance.
- Recognizing these tactics can help prevent damage until the charlatan is exposed.