- Complex recovery tools quickly make already exhausted IT staff lose confidence, according to a report.
- Many experts now view AI tools as another layer of stress
- Fear of personal blame sparks deep anxiety within cybersecurity teams
Pressure on IT and cybersecurity professionals is intensifying as the scale and sophistication of cyber threats increases, according to a new study.
A survey from Object First shows how this pressure has become a mental health crisis in the industry, revealing that 84% of respondents feel uncomfortably stressed at work due to cybersecurity risks, while almost 60% are considering leaving their jobs altogether.
Many respondents also fear personal blame if attackers compromise systems, adding to the emotional burden.
Growing threats and emotional exhaustion
The survey depicts an environment in which IT workers feel caught between increasing threats and unrealistic expectations.
Nearly half of those surveyed said they were pressured by leaders to “fix everything” after a cyber incident.
A smaller but still notable 18% admitted to feeling “desperate and overwhelmed” during or after such events.
The feeling of responsibility to safeguard entire networks, often without sufficient resources, has left many people struggling to cope.
“The increasing pressure on IT and cybersecurity professionals is not just a human resources issue; it’s a resilience challenge for the business,” said David Bennett, CEO of Object First.
“As cyber threats continue to grow in frequency and sophistication, the risk of lost productivity and losing top talent to burnout could leave organizations more vulnerable than ever. »
The complexity of recovery tools and ransomware protection systems has become a leading driver of burnout.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents said their recovery technologies or malware removal tools were too complicated to manage without in-depth security expertise.
Heavy workloads and understaffed teams only add to this challenge, leading to longer hours and less confidence in responding to attacks.
Many professionals believe faster, more efficient backup solutions could ease the pressure, while almost two thirds (65%) say independently tested technologies would increase their confidence.
As organizations increasingly rely on AI tools to automate detection and response, the burden of interpreting and managing these systems often falls on human staff.
This increases mental fatigue rather than reducing it. There is therefore an urgent need for mental health support and simpler technologies.
Half of professionals surveyed said their companies were failing to consistently prioritize wellbeing, with many also identifying flextime, employee assistance programs and mental health services as crucial supports.
To address these issues, Object First, in collaboration with Cybermindz, publishes educational materials and stress management resources aimed at restoring focus and improving rest.
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