The cyber security industry is not exactly known for its calm and relaxed pace. If you have decided to pursue a career in this field, you probably know this well. But there is a big difference between hard work and chronic fatigue.
For many people, the exciting and challenging nature of the job is what initially attracts them and provides opportunities for growth and development on a daily basis. However, it is often very easy for the workload to exceed the limit, leading to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, characterized by chronic stress and burnout.
As symptoms of burnout and anxiety accumulate over time, security team members may experience decreased productivity, lower job satisfaction, and even consider changing careers.
As many as 69% of cybersecurity professionals say their fatigue has worsened between 2023 and 2024. So there’s no time to wait for burnout to worsen. Business leaders must act now.
But where do I start?
The root of the problem
First, it’s important to understand the causes of cybersecurity burnout in your organization. Otherwise, you will try to solve the problem blindly, probably only solving superficial problems or even inadvertently making them worse.
Of course, cyber attackers won’t consider how their relentless pace of attack can lead to exhaustion. Cyber defense is a high-intensity, fast-paced environment where professionals must be at the forefront. And that won’t change anytime soon.
Attackers are also constantly looking for new evasion tactics. This has a domino effect, creating new cyber defense technologies that professionals must follow, learn to use and maintain. Additionally, in response to cyber threats, new regulations are constantly emerging that security teams must adhere to.
This affects daily life, increases the need for 24/7 coverage and reinforces the intermittent nature of the role, often alternating between routine tasks and one-off requests. Although it cannot be changed, the organization’s approach to cyber security can be changed.
There will always be pressure from management, but how is it handled? Are teams facing a barrage of questions and requests instead of just being busy?
And most importantly, do security teams have the right tools to work effectively? The shortage of IT skills is well documented, but it is worth repeating that the World Economic Forum currently estimates a shortage of over 4 million IT professionals worldwide.
In this environment, the loss of even one team member can mean the difference between a manageable workload and an environment ripe for burnout, where teams struggle to fill the gaps.
Daily effects
Understandably, much of the discussion about burnout revolves around its emotional impact (especially increased stress, anxiety, and other negative effects that can damage physical and mental health), but that’s not all. Burnout affects not only those involved, but also the entire team.
As many cybersecurity professionals currently experiencing these symptoms know, the quality of their work is at stake. Increased anxiety is often associated with fear of new cyber attacks or intrusions, resulting in reduced productivity and engagement at work as fear distances us from the present.
Of course, this has implications for the effectiveness and sustainability of any cybersecurity effort under the responsibility of a team facing burnout. Even the smallest compromise in your security strategy can lead to more frequent and severe security incidents, potentially leading to operational disruptions and significant financial losses.
While the financial implications are certainly what executives and board members are most concerned about, there are even deeper implications. The powerful combination of anxiety, stress and reduced job satisfaction often leads to strained personal relationships in the workplace, creates tension within teams and even increases staff turnover if left unchecked.
Changes that can really make a difference
Awareness has only increased in recent years as experts continue to comment on this topic. This has prompted companies to take action in hopes of reducing burnout. However, as the number of burnouts continues to rise, there is still much work to be done.
Certainly, initiatives that get teams talking are ideal for making burnout prevention a core principle cybersecurity teams should focus on. But real behavior change will happen when companies foster a supportive work culture where issues like burnout can be discussed and resolved before they escalate.
Investing in training will help equip teams with the mental health resources they need to manage the stress of cybersecurity work.
While organizations can’t do anything to reduce the number of attacks security teams face every day, they can give them an edge with the best solutions available. Strategic external partnerships, particularly with managed detection and response (MDR) services, can be particularly useful in this regard.
In a recent study on cybersecurity burnout, 92% of affected professionals said using MDR reduced fatigue and burnout, a benefit no cybersecurity professional would deny.
In addition, more can be done to make working with cybersecurity more enjoyable. By introducing growth and development opportunities, companies can further train their talent by diversifying their day-to-day work.
In a cybersecurity role, your talent needs to know what he or she is doing. Not only what KPIs they need to achieve, but also what the next step in their development will be.
By combining this with all your other initiatives, you will not only address the causes of burnout, but you will also benefit from a happier and more engaged workforce.
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