The industry speaks: Cyber security and World Mental Health Month

Cyber security is one of the most important aspects of technology management on the planet, but the make-or-break nature of the job can take a toll on even the hardiest of professionals.

A recent survey by Nominet Cyber Security in the UK revealed some startling figures to support this. Eighty-eight per cent of CISOs polled reported they worked far more than 40 hours a week, and a quarter said work stress was definitely impacting their mental health.

More worryingly, 17 per cent said they were leaning on medications and alcohol to cope.

Given it’s both Cyber Security Awareness Month and World Mental Health Month, we figured this was a great chance to get the perspectives of some industry professionals on how to face these challenges and support teams that are often expected to work odd hours and face mounting stress from a growing threat environment.

Paul Tuffs
Regional vice president of sales at Tanium

The 24/7 nature of communication puts a huge amount of pressure on today’s workers. This is occurring in every industry, but particularly ones like cyber security where the urgency of the work doesn’t change after 5pm. The fact that work follows us around across our various screens every minute of the day inevitably leads to added stress and overtime that can damage our mental health.

As a leader, I find trusting in your team incredibly important. This helps to increase autonomy and reduce the stress that comes with micromanagement. Secondly, it’s my job to filter out the noise coming from above to ensure that my team can focus on their jobs and not get unnecessarily stressed by internal and external pressures. Implementing trust and being that ‘umbrella’ to protect your team from added stressors is critical in helping to reduce mental health challenges among teams.

From a technology perspective, it’s interesting because the very thing that has added stress to our lives can also reduce it. It’s clear now that automation can change the IT workforce for the better. Not only can it reduce human error by removing manual processes, but automating tasks that are tedious and traditionally had to be conducted outside of business hours can help to lower burnout rates and improve work/life balance across the IT industry.

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Monica Landen
Chief information security officer at Diligent

As we mark both Cyber Security Awareness Month and World Mental Health Month, it’s an opportune time to acknowledge the intersection between the growing talent shortage in the cyber security sector and the mental health struggles faced by cyber security professionals. High pressure, long hours, and ever-evolving cyber threats often lead to burnout, exacerbating the sector’s talent shortage.

To foster long-term success and resilience, organisations must build a more supportive culture by making cyber security a priority for everyone. Addressing new cyber security challenges can no longer be the work of information security professionals alone. Cyber security permeates every aspect of business operations and demands a top-down approach that begins with the board and leadership team working together. Oversight from the board of directors is necessary to set the environment for a strong cyber security culture and put in place the proper cultural supports so the entire organisation can embrace cyber security and follow best practices.

By making cyber security an organisation-wide imperative, companies can alleviate individual strain, prevent burnout, improve mental wellbeing and encourage collaboration. This approach not only helps cyber security professionals manage stress but also strengthens the organisation’s overall security posture.

Creating an environment where mental health is prioritised and security is seen as a shared responsibility empowers teams to push through challenges together, improving both morale and effectiveness. As we continue to face increasingly complex cyber threats, supporting the wellbeing of our cyber security talent is vital for sustaining a robust and resilient cyber workforce.

Janine Morris
Industry engagement and strategy lead at AvePoint

Mental Health Month reminds us of the increasing pressures faced by cyber security professionals as they contend with a rapidly growing volume of threats. The constant vigilance required to stay ahead of cyber risks can easily lead to burnout. To safeguard the wellbeing of their teams, organisations must leverage technology, tools, and automation to help alleviate the burden.

By implementing automated solutions for routine tasks such as threat detection, response, and compliance monitoring, cyber security professionals can free up some mental capacity to focus on more strategic and impactful initiatives. Automation not only improves efficiency by eliminating repetitive tasks but also reduces the mental load and responsibility.

By harnessing technology and automation, we can create a healthier, more sustainable work environment that promotes both security and the wellbeing of those safeguarding our digital world.

Rory McNeil
Chief marketing officer at Rayven

Keeping on top of my mental health involves being aware of warning signs and taking a proactive approach. I’ve long ditched the ‘work hard, play hard’ macho BS and make sure I’m getting enough sleep, eating well, and undertaking regular physical activity – even if it’s just a short walk to get out of the house when I’m working from home.

Recent reports showing cyber professionals are under mounting pressure and stress are concerning but not surprising. The sector is facing a multitude of challenges, ranging from the growing and increasingly complex nature of cyber threats to the ongoing skills shortage and constant need for upskilling – it’s a 24/7/365 role.

Many business leaders will be looking to technology for quick fixes, and AI is one of the latest so-called solutions to helping everyone do ‘more with less’. In reality, though, AI is still a pipe dream for many businesses, and it can add to the pressure on tech professionals who need to somehow bring their executives’ AI visions to life while having to deal with countless hurdles on the ground. Real-time data, for example, is often the biggest challenge people at the coal face are dealing with. Without it, businesses don’t stand a chance at using AI, let alone experiencing any benefits from its capabilities.

For business, tech, and cyber leaders wanting to proactively address the mental health crisis within their teams, one of the simplest things they can do is talk to their staff about what’s realistic, what the actual challenges are, and how they as the leader of the business can contribute to overcoming those challenges. Having big-picture visions is important, but those visions will pay a heavy toll if the people expected to bring those visions to life aren’t supported throughout the process.

David Hollingworth

David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.