Devo Technology, a cloud-native security analytics company, has released the findings of a new study on the impact of cybersecurity burnout. The study reveals that a significant majority of IT security professionals acknowledge that stress has caused them and their colleagues to make mistakes resulting in data breaches.
With the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals estimated to be around 3.5 million, this survey conducted by Wakefield Research sheds light on the detrimental consequences of burnout on the security industry. Apart from the toll it takes on the mental and physical health of these under-resourced teams, burnout directly impacts the organization’s security posture, resulting in potential data breaches, damage to reputation, and financial losses.
The survey participants reported several worrisome trends that, if not addressed by Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and company leadership, can lead to costly turnover, financial damages from regulatory fines, and loss of consumer trust. The data revealed that 83% of IT security professionals admit to themselves or their team members making errors due to burnout, subsequently leading to security breaches.
Furthermore, the study found that 85% of respondents anticipate leaving their current roles due to burnout, with 24% planning to quit the cybersecurity industry entirely. This high turnover rate could further worsen the existing shortage of cybersecurity professionals. In addition, 77% of the participants stated that stress levels at work directly affect their ability to ensure the safety of customer data.
Devo Technology CEO, Marc van Zadelhoff, expressed concern about the findings, emphasizing the importance of caring for security teams. He stated that prioritizing the well-being of security professionals is not only the right thing to do for the individuals on the frontlines but also for the overall business.
The survey also highlighted a significant disconnect between security leadership and their teams. Despite more than half of the respondents reporting increased anxiety or feelings of depression due to alert fatigue, they felt that stress and burnout issues were not taken seriously. Specifically, 76% of participants agreed that their IT leadership would not be able to handle the number of alerts that they manage for even a full day. Additionally, 45% of IT professionals felt that their leaders did not respond proactively to employee burnout and desired additional training, mentorship, and development opportunities. Alarmingly, 82% of respondents said they were told that stress and burnout were normal parts of their job.
Devo Technology’s CISO, Kayla Williams, stressed the importance of addressing the issue of burnout in the cybersecurity field. She pointed out that while CISOs face their own stressors, it is essential for leaders to listen to and understand the needs of their teams. Organizations that proactively provide staff with training, solutions, and mental health resources tend to have healthier and happier security teams, making them more secure in the process.
To gain more insights into the survey results, interested individuals can review the full report online. Devo Technology is also hosting its third annual SOC Analyst Appreciation Day on October 18th, emphasizing the improvement of security teams’ mental well-being. The virtual event aims to provide resources and support to security professionals.
The survey was conducted between June 27th and July 8th, 2023, and involved 200 IT security professionals from larger organizations with revenues of $500 million or more.
Devo Technology, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a cloud-native security analytics platform that combines the power of people and intelligent automation to defend against cybersecurity threats effectively. Backed by various venture capital firms, Devo aims to augment security teams with AI technology, enabling them to scale their efficiency, enhance threat detection and response speed, and make more informed decisions to minimize risks and maximize outcomes.
To learn more about Devo Technology and its solutions, visit their website at www.devo.com.