Ryan Williams Sr.

You have a limited window to recover data before further attempts cause a mechanical drive to fail completely. Due to this risk, I recommend using the proper software to copy or clone the drive in one go or taking it to a professional with the proper training and tools. Be aware that once the drive fails completely, data recovery will be very expensive.

Tough question! As I grew older and wiser, I stopped believing in work-life balance. It's really about prioritizing what's most valuable to you. If you want more time with friends and family, seek opportunities that allow for it. If you need more time for yourself, set clear boundaries to protect your personal time. If you aim to climb the corporate ladder, communicate openly with your loved ones about what that means and how it will affect your time and energy. Ultimately, we are not defined by our jobs or titles. Take time to reflect deeply on who you are and what will define your legacy. Good luck!

Time is short in a workday. Communicate with leadership and teammates to set your daily, weekly, or hourly priorities. Everyone acts as a project manager to some degree, using intuition and experience to manage time effectively. When things get hectic, review your task list and milestones. Pro tip: Always write out your daily activities to stay on task and capture new ones from teammates, leaders, or circumstances. Decide what takes precedence. Document out-of-scope tasks for evaluations or to highlight how you effectively use your time. Effective time management is key to productivity.

All the above are excellent points! I would add that future assessors should look for opportunities to be assessed in their current organizations. Working or volunteering at an organization undergoing an assessment and understanding your role, such as providing an asset inventory or account provisioning/devisioning logs, and how it feeds into the overall NIST CSF, HITRUST, CIS, etc., is invaluable. Being inquisitive and willing to learn early in your career will further separate you from your peers.