The importance of mental health in cyber security

The stress, burnout and mental health issues faced by a cyber security team, or an individual member, can have far-reaching implications for a business beyond its cyber resilience, impacting its financial stability, reputation and competitive position in the market. From a business perspective, the mental wellbeing of cybеr security professionals is essential for effective decision-making, creative problem-solving and communication skills that are crucial in this industry.

The demands of safeguarding sensitive data, thwarting cyber attacks and staying ahead in an increasingly complex field can take a heavy toll on cybеr security professionals. Mental health in the cybеr security industry is a critical but often overlooked aspect of the wellbeing of professionals in this field. From Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to junior security analysts, the nature of their roles can lead to significant stress and strain, impacting their mental wellbeing and professional quality of life.

Common stressors in the cybеr security industry

Working in the cybеr security industry presents unique stressors, including the pressure of being connected 24/7/365, the responsibility of safeguarding sensitive data and the need to stay ahead in an ever evolving and complex field.

The stressor is not always the cyber criminals, but can be from our own frameworks for response or governance. Globally, governments continue to pass more stringent cyber security laws and regulations, which vary depending on industry, geographical location and other factors. These laws focus on bolstering cyber resilience and often involve more stringent reporting requirements to regulatory bodies.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charges against SolarWinds and its CISO, as well as the Uber breach, have brought significant attention to cyber security practices and the accountability of senior professionals. High profile breaches at SolarWinds and Log4j have highlighted the failure to observe fundamental security principles, such as fail-safe defaults and least privilege, which could have mitigated the embedded vulnerabilities.

The constant threat of cybеr attacks and the need to maintain a high level of vigilance is often set against a background of too small a team and too low a budget, contributing to high levels of stress and anxiety among incumbent professionals.

READ: 5 most stressful aspects of cyber security

Personal accountability and high degrees of stress

An analyst in the security operations center (SOC) facing screen upon screen of high numbers of events and vulnerabilities may become overwhelmed by the scale of it all. Often there are screens from various incompatible systems with disjointed information making the task of analytics cumbersome and ripe for mistakes, which the individual analyst feels personally accountable for, creating a high degree of personal stress.

Why would anyone choose this profession? An IBM study in 2022 stated that 77% of cyber incident responders have a strong sense of duty to help and protect. That same study uncovered that the rise in ransomware has exacerbated the psychological demands of incident response for 81% of respondents. Most respondents had sought mental health assistance due to their experiences in responding to cyber attacks.

Given the rate of growth in cyber crime, laws, regulation, the digital economy and AI new technologies are the greatest technology opportunity since the internet, and the demands on a cyber security professional are only set to increase.

Potential consequences

It is crucial for businesses to prioritize the wellbeing of their cyber security teams to mitigate potential impacts. As stated, the impact goes further than cyber resilience – business operational resilience, financial stability, reputation and standing in the market can all be negatively affected.

At a team level during an extended period of heightened cyber threats, systems, processes and the workforce can come under pressure, affecting the overall cyber security posture. Additionally, the inevitability of security breaches and the lack of adequate budget and technology can contribute to the stress and pressure faced by cyber security teams. These pressures can lead to fatigue, burnout and job insecurity among cyber security teams, ultimately impacting their effectiveness in safeguarding against cyber threats. In short, high levels of stress can lead to decreased morale and productivity.

Individually, cybеr security professionals may experience increased levels of stress, burnout and frustration, which can affect their mental health and overall wellbeing.

READ: Burnout of cyber security professionals and your health

Importance of addressing mental health

It is crucial to shine a light on cyber security and the mental health outcomes. Employers should consider offering stress reduction programs, access to mental health professionals and opportunities for skill diversification to support the mental wellbeing of their cybеr security team. By fostering a culture of support, education and open dialogue, businesses can ensure that those who work in cybеr security do so with strength, resilience and a healthy state of mind

In summary, the importance of mental health in the cybеr security industry cannot be overstated. The unique stressors and demands of this field can have significant implications for the wellbeing of professionals at all levels. By recognizing the impact of these stressors and prioritizing the mental health of cybеr security professionals, businesses can ensure a healthier and more resilient workforce, ultimately contributing to a more effective and sustainable industry.

Signing up to our Mental Health in Cyber Security Charter is certainly a positive start and offers organizations the opportunity to set the pace and level at which they would like to progress. The Mental Health in Cyber Security Charter will be available from February 1, 2024.