In a recent report by Cynet in 2023, it was revealed that an overwhelming 94% of surveyed Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are struggling with work-induced stress. The study also found that 65% of these CISOs admit that this stress is negatively impacting their organizational defense capabilities. Work-related stress is not only affecting the CISOs but also the employees, as approximately 8 out of 10 workers state that it adversely affects their physical and mental health.
The impact of stress on cybersecurity is prevalent in two significant ways. Firstly, cybersecurity professionals are constantly dealing with ongoing threats and working long hours, leading to exhaustion and errors. These taxing work conditions often compromise their judgment, making them more susceptible to making mistakes and having compromised decision-making skills. Secondly, when employees are stressed, their threat awareness decreases, making them easier targets for phishing and social engineering attacks on their company devices. This highlights the importance of integrating mental health and mindfulness practices into the best cybersecurity practices of organizations.
To further delve into this issue, Jamf Security Lounge is hosting a panel discussion with industry experts. The panel will be joined by Jasmine and Yvonne Eskenzi, the founders of The Zensory, a wellbeing and productivity app, and Christine Gordon-Bennett, Cybersecurity Awareness Manager at Nedbank Group. This conversation aims to address the following key topics: how Nedbank managed to reduce phishing clicks by 70% in just three months through their mindful security campaign in collaboration with The Zensory, the impact of healthy work environments and hybrid work models on employee focus, and strategies and tactics to foster security consciousness and create lasting change.
The panel discussion is scheduled for October 10th from 14:00 to 14:45 BST (15:00 to 15:45 CET). The esteemed panelists include Jasmine Eskenzi, Co-Founder & CEO of The Zensory, Yvonne Eskenzi, Co-Founder & CMO of The Zensory, and Christine Gordon-Bennett, Cybersecurity Awareness Manager at Nedbank Group. For those interested in joining the discussion, registration can be done through the provided link.
The intersection of cybersecurity, stress, and risk is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed by organizations. The impact of work-induced stress on cybersecurity professionals and employees is significant and can lead to serious consequences if not managed effectively. By fostering a culture of mental health and mindfulness within the cybersecurity sector, organizations can enhance their defense capabilities and reduce the vulnerability of their employees to cyber threats.
This article was originally published on IT Security Guru and highlights the importance of recognizing the relationship between cybersecurity and stress. By bringing awareness to this issue and discussing strategies for improvement, organizations can take steps towards creating a more secure and mentally healthy work environment.