Xalient's Stephen Amstutz on Need for Cyber Staff Wellness

Wellbeing is, thankfully, an aspect of employees that employers are taking increasingly seriously. 

Not doing so is not just a matter of ignorance (or even arrogance), but can hit companies where it hurts most: money. 

In fact, a report by insurance company Axa found Work-related stress costs the UK economy £28bn (US$36.2bn) a year.

This extends to more than money as well. A SenseOn study has showed 95% of IT leaders in the UK and Ireland say stress impacts their ability to retain staff.

And it shows, cybersecurity is a sector that is perennially understaffed. 

With everything said and done, improving one can help the other. So where do we start?

To find out more, we spoke with Stephen Amstutz, Director of Innovation at Xalient about recognising the importance of cybersecurity team well-being.

Stress vector 

In an era of rapid digital transformation, cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of business operations. However, as the digital landscape evolves, so too does the pressure on those tasked with protecting it. 

Stephen Amstutz emphasises this point: "The employee experience within cyber teams has never been more important. Whilst businesses are thriving in the digital age, and more organisations are adopting hybrid work environments to enhance employee well-being and productivity, these advancements are complicating their cybersecurity teams' roles."

The cybersecurity industry is facing a perfect storm of challenges. On one side, there's an ever-expanding attack surface due to cloud adoption and digital transformation. 

On the other, there's a chronic shortage of skilled professionals. This combination is putting unprecedented strain on existing cybersecurity teams.

This complexity isn't just making the job harder; it's actively endangering the mental health of cybersecurity professionals. 

"These complications and heavy workloads are putting employees at increased risk of human error, work dissatisfaction, and burnout," Stephen continues. 

The consequences of neglecting cybersecurity team well-being extend far beyond individual job satisfaction. 

It poses a significant risk to organisational security as a whole. When cybersecurity professionals are overworked and stressed, the likelihood of mistakes increases, potentially leaving vulnerabilities unaddressed.

"The use of digital transformation and cloud-based technologies has made organisations not only more complex but heavily reliant on their networks,” says Stephen. “Consequently, security breaches can dramatically impact operations and productivity."

This increased reliance on digital infrastructure has created a high-stakes environment for cybersecurity teams. 

"The increase in attack surfaces, along with a rise in AI related cyber-attacks, is putting immense pressure on cybersecurity professionals," Stephen notes.

This financial impact underscores the business case for prioritising cybersecurity team well-being. It's not just an ethical imperative; it's a financial necessity. 

Companies that neglect the mental health of their cybersecurity professionals may find themselves facing not only increased security risks but also significant productivity losses.

In the face of these challenges, AI emerges as a potential game-changer. 

AI as a game changer

AI has the capacity to augment human capabilities, taking on repetitive tasks and providing early warning systems for potential threats.

And it's for this that has Stephen optimistic about its potential: "AI offers a promising solution for these challenges. AI-powered software that monitors networks using artificial intelligence and analytics can detect issues and potential threats before they become apparent to employees, and automatically rectify low-level issues."

The implementation of AI in cybersecurity isn't about replacing human professionals; it's about empowering them. By automating routine tasks and providing advanced threat detection, AI can free up cybersecurity teams to focus on more complex, strategic work.

"This technology not only frees up cybersecurity professionals to tackle high-level threats and projects but also acts as a reliable team member that ensures operational efficiency and higher productivity. This supports existing teams in their workflow and contributes positively to employee experience," Stephen explains.

However, AI is not a panacea. It's a tool that, when properly implemented, can significantly improve the working conditions of cybersecurity teams. But it must be part of a broader strategy to support and protect these crucial professionals.

"As we continue to see advancement on improving employee experiences, it's crucial for companies to regard their cybersecurity teams as valuable assets worth investing in," Stephen states. 

This investment should encompass not just technological solutions, but also policies and practices that promote work-life balance, mental health support, and professional development opportunities for cybersecurity professionals.

Recognising the importance of cybersecurity team well-being is more than just an HR issue; it's a critical component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. 

"AI software emerges as a key player in this context, serving as both a protective measure against cybersecurity threats and a supportive colleague with the added benefit of enhanced cybersecurity and supported career progression."

By prioritising the mental health and job satisfaction of cybersecurity professionals, and leveraging technologies like AI to support their work, organisations can build more resilient, efficient, and effective cybersecurity defences. 

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