Sophos’ collaboration with TRA reveals alarming levels of burnout among cybersecurity professionals in Malaysia, with significant implications for organizational security and employee well-being, underscoring the urgent need for proactive intervention.
6 February 2024 – Sophos, a global leader in cybersecurity innovation and service delivery, has unveiled the findings of its fourth “The Future of Cybersecurity in Asia Pacific and Japan” report in collaboration with Tech Research Asia (TRA). The report brings to light a concerning trend, revealing that over 90% of respondents in cybersecurity and IT roles in Malaysia are grappling with burnout and fatigue.
The study exposes a pervasive sense of burnout permeating various facets of cybersecurity operations, with 90% of respondents reporting an increase in burnout over the past 12 months. Alarmingly, 55% of respondents admit that burnout has led them to be “less diligent” in their cybersecurity roles, while 21% cite burnout as a contributing factor to cybersecurity breaches. Additionally, companies experienced slower response times to cybersecurity incidents, further exacerbating the impact of burnout on organizational security.
The report identifies five primary causes of burnout and fatigue in Malaysia, including a lack of resources, heightened pressure from executive management, persistent alert overload, monotonous routine tasks, and the evolving threat landscape. These stressors have manifested in various adverse effects on cybersecurity professionals, including diminished performance, heightened anxiety, feelings of cynicism, detachment, and resignation.
Aaron Bugal, Field CTO at Sophos, underscores the critical importance of addressing burnout and fatigue amidst the backdrop of cybersecurity skills shortages and escalating cyber threats. He emphasizes the need for organizations to provide adequate support to employees, as evidenced by the substantial impact of burnout on cybersecurity breaches.
The report also sheds light on the direct impact of burnout on business operations, including increased vulnerability to breaches, slower incident response times, lost productivity, and higher rates of employee turnover. In Malaysia, stress and burnout directly contribute to resignations in 28% of companies, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate burnout and enhance organizational resilience.
