34% of Indian Cyber Pros Less Diligent Due to Burnout; 25% Attribute Breaches to Fatigue
Sophos released the findings of its fourth “The Future of Cybersecurity in Asia Pacific and Japan” report in collaborationwith Tech Research Asia (TRA). The report found that 83 per cent of respondents in cybersecurity and IT roles in India are impacted by burnout and fatigue.
The study revealed that burnout is felt across almost all aspects of cybersecurity operations, with 93 per cent of respondents saying that feelings of burnout increased in the last 12 months, the highest across Asia Pacific and Japan. In addition, 25 per cent of respondents identified that cybersecurity burnout or fatigue contributed to, or was directly responsible for, a cybersecurity breach and 22 per cent of companies experienced slower than average response times to cybersecurity incidents.
“At a time when organisations are struggling with cybersecurity skills shortages and an increasingly complex cyberattack environment, employee stability and performance are critical for providing a solid defence for the business”
Aaron Bugal, field CTO at Sophos
Causes of cybersecurity burnout and fatigue
The five main causes of cyber burnout and fatigue in India include:
- A lack of resources available to support cybersecurity activities
- The routine aspects of the role, which create a feeling of monotony
- An increased level of pressure from board and/or executive management
- Persistent alert overload from tools and systems
- Increase in threat activity and the adoption of new technologies that foster a more challenging, always on environment.
The impact of burnout and fatigue on cybersecurity employees
The study revealed that across India:
- 34% felt they are not diligent enough in their performance
- 48% felt heightened levels of anxiety if subject to a breach or attack
- 36% experience feelings of cynicism, detachment and apathy towards cybersecurity activities and their responsibilities
- 31% of resignations were a result of stress and burnout
“At a time when organisations are struggling with cybersecurity skills shortages and an increasingly complex cyberattack environment, employee stability and performance are critical for providing a solid defence for the business. Burnout and fatigue are undermining these areas and organisations need to step up to provide the right support to employees especially when, according to our research, 25 per cent of Indian respondents identified that cybersecurity burnout or fatigue contributed to, or was directly responsible for, a cybersecurity breach,” said, Aaron Bugal, field CTO at Sophos.
