The biggest threat to cybersecurity today is not security risks, but employee burnout, according to Marc van Zadelhof, Chief Executive Officer of Devo, a cloud-native logging and security analytics solution.
Van Zadelhof points to a recent study by Devo that found that 85% of IT security professionals are looking to leave their jobs because of burnout, with 24% considering leaving the industry altogether. This is a major concern, as there is already a shortage of cybersecurity workers, with an estimated 3.4 million unfilled jobs globally.
Burnout can lead to a number of security risks, including:
- Increased human error: Burned-out employees are more likely to make mistakes, such as clicking on malicious links or opening phishing emails.
- Decreased productivity: Burned-out employees are less likely to be productive and engaged in their work, which can lead to security vulnerabilities being overlooked.
- High employee turnover: Burned-out employees are more likely to leave their jobs, which can lead to instability and a lack of expertise in the cybersecurity team.
Van Zadelhof says that leaders need to lead by example and take steps to prevent burnout among their cybersecurity teams. “Leaders should work to create a positive and supportive work environment,” he said. This includes building trust and rapport with employees, providing feedback and recognition, and creating opportunities for career growth and development.
By taking steps to prevent burnout, leaders can help to protect their organisations from cybersecurity threats and build a more resilient and productive cybersecurity workforce.
