A recent study conducted by CybSafe has revealed that a majority of office workers in the UK and US have a high level of trust in their organization’s cybersecurity team when it comes to preventing or minimizing the damage from cyberattacks. The study, which examined attitudes towards cybersecurity teams within organizations, found that despite minor issues around communication and processes, employees overwhelmingly trust and appreciate their cybersecurity teams.
According to the survey, 86% of respondents see their cybersecurity team as a necessary function, with 72% considering it a vital company operation. This sense of trust also translates into employees’ security behaviors, with more than half of respondents stating that they read emails from their cybersecurity team immediately, and the vast majority reading them within a day.
Additionally, the study also highlighted the positive impact of security teams on business goals, with 74% of respondents believing that security teams enable business goals as well as personal work objectives. However, the research also revealed some concerns from respondents, with 38% feeling obstructed from doing their job efficiently due to security measures, 24% feeling that the team had hindered personal progress, and 25% finding the cyber team intrusive.
Furthermore, the research indicated that there is a need for more mandatory cyber training for regular employees, as 45% of respondents expressed a belief in this need. Despite these concerns, the study shows that cybersecurity teams are increasingly viewed as a vital strategic function enabling both individual and business success.
With the increasing number and complexity of cyberattacks, businesses are making concerted efforts to increase cybersecurity visibility for all employees. The research suggests that security teams are ultimately responsible for the maintenance of a positive security culture, but workers also feel a sense of responsibility for protecting their employer’s data, with 82% believing that everyone in an organization shares the responsibility for protection, not just security teams alone.
The study also revealed that cybersecurity teams enjoy high levels of trust, with 97% of respondents expressing faith in their ability to prevent or minimize cyberattack damage, and 85% believing their company invests enough in cyber defenses given current threat levels. Additionally, of respondents who contacted their cybersecurity team for guidance, 88% were satisfied with the response, while only 5% were dissatisfied.
Oz Alashe MBE, CEO of CybSafe, commented on the findings, stating that the research displays a high level of confidence in the capabilities and actions of security professionals, despite the negativity often associated with the uphill battle faced by cybersecurity teams. He emphasized the collective effort of cybersecurity and data protection, highlighting the role of cybersecurity teams in guiding, informing, and bolstering this endeavor.
Ira Winkler, CISO and VP at CYE, also weighed in on the study, noting that cybersecurity teams are becoming more customer service-focused and understanding of the needs of users. He emphasized that while cybersecurity friction may have a bad connotation, it can be useful and necessary, enabling organizations to do things they otherwise would not be able to do.
Overall, the study indicates a high level of trust and confidence in cybersecurity teams, as well as the recognition of their importance in enabling business success and personal work objectives. The findings also highlight the need for improved communication and visibility within cybersecurity teams to address any concerns and further build trust and understanding among employees.