We sit down with some industry experts to get their advice on combating burnout, managing teams under stress, and how to take the pressure off network defenders in the field.

Cybersecurity is one of the most important aspects of technology management on the planet, but the mission-critical nature of the job can take a toll on even the most hardened professionals.

A recent survey by Nominet Cyber ​​Security in the UK revealed some surprising figures to support this claim. Eighty-eight percent of CISOs surveyed said they worked well over 40 hours per week, and a quarter said work stress had a definite impact on their mental health.

Even more worrying, 17 percent said they turned to medications and alcohol to cope.

Given that it’s both Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Global Mental Health Month, we thought it was a great opportunity to get the perspectives of some industry professionals on how to address these challenges and support teams who are often expected to work irregular hours and deal with the increasing stress of an environment of increasing threat.

Paul Tufs
Regional Vice President of Sales at Tanium

The nature of 24/7 communication places enormous pressure on today’s workers. This happens in all industries, but particularly in those like cybersecurity, where the urgency of work doesn’t change after 5 p.m. The fact that work follows us on our various screens every minute of the day inevitably leads to additional stress and overtime which can be detrimental to our mental health.

As a leader, I find it extremely important to trust your team. This helps increase autonomy and reduce stress related to micromanagement. Second, it is my job to filter out the noise coming from above to ensure that my team can focus on their work and not be unnecessarily stressed by internal and external pressures. Implementing trust and being that “umbrella” to protect your team from additional stressors is essential to help reduce mental health issues within teams.

From a technological point of view, this is interesting because what has added stress to our lives can also reduce it. It’s now clear that automation can improve IT staffing. Not only can it reduce human errors by removing manual processes, but automating tasks that are tedious and traditionally have to be done outside of office hours can help reduce burnout rates and improve the balance between professional and private life across the IT sector.

Monica Landen
Head of Information Security at Diligent

As we celebrate both Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Global Mental Health Month, it is an opportune time to recognize the intersection between the growing cybersecurity talent shortage and the challenges mental health issues faced by cybersecurity professionals. High pressure, long working hours and ever-changing cyber threats often lead to burnout, exacerbating the talent shortage in the sector.

To drive long-term success and resilience, organizations must build a more supportive culture by making cybersecurity a priority for everyone. Meeting new cybersecurity challenges can no longer be the sole responsibility of information security professionals. Cybersecurity permeates every aspect of business operations and requires a top-down approach that begins with board and executive team collaboration. Board oversight is necessary to create an environment conducive to a strong cybersecurity culture and put the appropriate cultural supports in place so that the entire organization can embrace cybersecurity and follow best practices.

By making cybersecurity an organization-wide imperative, businesses can alleviate individual stress, prevent burnout, improve mental well-being and encourage collaboration. This approach not only helps cybersecurity professionals manage stress but also strengthens the overall security posture of the organization.

Creating an environment where mental health is a priority and safety is seen as a shared responsibility allows teams to tackle challenges together, improving morale and efficiency. As we continue to face increasingly complex cyber threats, supporting the well-being of our cybersecurity talent is critical to maintaining a strong and resilient workforce.

Janine Morris
Head of Industry Engagement and Strategy at AvePoint

Mental Health Month reminds us of the increasing pressures facing cybersecurity professionals as they deal with a rapidly growing volume of threats. The constant vigilance required to anticipate cyber risks can easily lead to burnout. To safeguard the well-being of their teams, organizations must leverage technology, tools, and automation to ease the burden.

By implementing automated solutions for common tasks such as threat detection, response, and compliance monitoring, cybersecurity professionals can free up some of their mental capacity to focus on more strategic and more focused initiatives. impactful. Automation not only improves efficiency by eliminating repetitive tasks, but also reduces mental load and responsibilities.

By leveraging technology and automation, we can create a healthier, more sustainable work environment that promotes both the security and well-being of those who protect our digital world.

Rory McNeil
Marketing Director at Rayven

Staying on top of my mental health requires being aware of the warning signs and taking a proactive approach. I’ve long since abandoned the macho “work hard, play hard” BS and make sure I get enough sleep, eat well, and get regular physical activity – even if it’s just a short walk out of home when I “I work from home.

Recent reports showing that cyber professionals are experiencing increasing pressure and stress are worrying but not surprising. The sector faces a multitude of challenges, from the growing and increasingly complex nature of cyber threats to persistent skills shortages and the constant need for upskilling – it’s a 24/7 role , 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Many business leaders will look to technology for quick solutions, and AI is one of the latest solutions to help everyone do “more with less.” In reality, however, AI remains a pipe dream for many companies, and it can add to the pressure on technology professionals who must somehow bring their AI visions to life. leaders while having to face countless obstacles on the ground. Real-time data, for example, is often the biggest challenge facing those working on the coal front. Without it, businesses have no chance of using AI, let alone reaping the benefits of its capabilities.

For business, technology, and cybersecurity leaders who want to proactively address the mental health crisis within their teams, one of the simplest things they can do is talk to their staff of what is realistic, what the real challenges are and how they, as a business leader can help overcome these challenges. It’s important to have big picture visions, but those visions will pay a heavy price if the people who are supposed to bring those visions to life are not supported throughout the process.