Eskenzi PR ad banner Eskenzi PR ad banner
  • About Us
Monday, 27 March, 2023
IT Security Guru
Eskenzi PR banner
  • Home
  • Features
  • Insight
  • Events
    • Most Inspiring Women in Cyber 2022
  • Topics
    • Cloud Security
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Data Protection
    • DDoS
    • Hacking
    • Malware, Phishing and Ransomware
    • Mobile Security
    • Network Security
    • Regulation
    • Skills Gap
    • The Internet of Things
    • Threat Detection
    • AI and Machine Learning
    • Industrial Internet of Things
  • Multimedia
  • Product Reviews
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Features
  • Insight
  • Events
    • Most Inspiring Women in Cyber 2022
  • Topics
    • Cloud Security
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Data Protection
    • DDoS
    • Hacking
    • Malware, Phishing and Ransomware
    • Mobile Security
    • Network Security
    • Regulation
    • Skills Gap
    • The Internet of Things
    • Threat Detection
    • AI and Machine Learning
    • Industrial Internet of Things
  • Multimedia
  • Product Reviews
  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
IT Security Guru
No Result
View All Result

Cyber Security Decision Makers Hit By Perfect Storm

Regulation, Threats, Technical Complexity And Skills Shortage are Serious Problems.

by The Gurus
November 11, 2019
in Threat Detection
Perfect Storm cybersecurity
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A perfect storm of regulation, increased threats and technological complexity is overwhelming cyber security decision makers, reveals new research from Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC). Four in five (82 percent) security leaders across France, Germany and the UK report feeling burned out, whilst just under two-thirds (63 percent) think about leaving the industry or quitting their job (64 percent).

Surveying 3,045 cyber security decision makers across the across France, Germany and the UK, the research – conducted by Symantec in collaboration with Dr Chris Brauer, Goldsmiths, University of London – reveals mounting pressure on the security profession.

The leading source of stress for cyber security leaders is government regulation. Four in five (86 percent total, 81 percent UK) reported that mounting regulation, such as GDPR and the NIS Directive, was increasing their stress. Two in five (40 percent total, 33 percent UK) reported concerns that they would be held personally liable for a data breach. Just over half ( 55 percent total, 37 percent UK) feared dismissal if a breach happened on their watch. Insufficiently skilled staff (80 percent total, 70 percent UK), the size and complexity of the estate to be defended (82 percent total, 70 percent UK), and the increasing volume of threats (82 percent total, 69 percent UK) are also major contributors to stress.

“Stress dramatically impacts our ability to make good decisions,” said Dr Chris Brauer, Director of Innovation, Goldsmiths, University of London. “It impairs your memory, disrupts rational thinking and negatively impacts every cognitive function you have. In an industry like cyber security, which requires focus, creative thinking, attention to detail and rational decisions in high pressure scenarios – stress can be crippling. Highly stressed workers are far more likely to be disengaged and ultimately quit. In an industry already suffering a skills shortage, this kind of stress can present a significant risk.”

On High Alert

Ironically, efforts to protect the enterprise are also increasing stress:

79 percent (62 percent UK)) reported that managing ‘too many cyber defence products or vendors’ was increasing their stress levels
Two-thirds (68 percent total, 54 percent UK) of cyber-security decision makers said they’d felt ‘paralysed’ by the overwhelming volume of threat alerts
A third (33 percent total, 28 percent UK) reported that threat alerts, designed to help keep a business safe, are making the situation worse due to their sheer volume
In the face of such huge workloads, the majority of security professionals (67 percent total, 54 percent UK) said their cyber security teams left work at the end of the day with threat alerts left unreviewed

This volume is impacting the security of enterprises:

Already 41 percent (46 percent UK) agree a breach is inevitable
A third (32 percent total, 28 percent UK) say their organisation is currently vulnerable to avoidable cyber security incidents
A quarter (26 percent total, 22 percent UK) admitted they have already suffered an avoidable cyber security incident

“For many CISOs, the job never stops,” said Darren Thomson, EMEA CTO, Symantec. “The current patchwork approach to security tooling and strategy is creating more problems than it solves. There so much daily noise that it’s near impossible to work out what might be a false positive and what might be a sign of a stealthy targeted attack. Meanwhile the overlaps and gaps between defensive systems present hackers with new opportunities for exploitation.”

The Challenge Ahead

Two-thirds of security leaders (65 percent total, 54 percent UK) feel they are being ‘set up for failure’. However, the overwhelming workload and pressure doesn’t seem to deter them. The vast majority of security leaders are adrenaline junkies, fully immersed in their work, even when it’s stressful (92 percent UK and total). Nine in ten are motivated by high pressure situations and 92 percent (UK and total) report that they find their work environment thrilling.

“This appetite for pressure is much needed, as the challenges cyber security professionals are facing is set to grow,” commented Darren Thomson, EMEA CTO, Symantec.

Many are already challenged by the pace of change and rapid growth of data. Four in five (82 percent total, 70 percent UK) report that having to secure too much data, in too many places, is making the job more stressful. Almost half (45 percent total, 37 percent UK) say technological change is occurring too quickly for their teams to adapt.

“Ever since the internet started connecting computers and systems, cyber defence has largely been a game of reactions,” continued Thomson. “With new technology, came new threats. As each new exploit emerged, a new defence was created. Organisations and the cyber security industry got sucked into an ever-accelerating game of whack-a-mole. There are now too many moles and too many hammers. It’s time for organisations to take a step back, and approach cyber defence in a far more effective way.”

FacebookTweetLinkedIn
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

MobileIron Announces Zero Trust Platform

Next Post

Egress Delivers GDPR Compliance To The Benelux Market Using AI-Powered Data Security.

Recent News

Synopsys discover new vulnerability in Pluck Content Management System

Synopsys discover new vulnerability in Pluck Content Management System

March 24, 2023
Dole Food Company

Dole confirms employee data was breached following February ransomware attack

March 24, 2023
call centre

MyCena Improves Customer Data Access Protection in Call Centers and BPOs

March 23, 2023
Blue logo, capitalised letters. SPECOPS.

Fortune 500 Company Names Found in Compromised Password Data

March 23, 2023

The IT Security Guru offers a daily news digest of all the best breaking IT security news stories first thing in the morning! Rather than you having to trawl through all the news feeds to find out what’s cooking, you can quickly get everything you need from this site!

Our Address: 10 London Mews, London, W2 1HY

Follow Us

© 2015 - 2019 IT Security Guru - Website Managed by Calm Logic

  • About Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Features
  • Insight
  • Events
    • Most Inspiring Women in Cyber 2022
  • Topics
    • Cloud Security
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Data Protection
    • DDoS
    • Hacking
    • Malware, Phishing and Ransomware
    • Mobile Security
    • Network Security
    • Regulation
    • Skills Gap
    • The Internet of Things
    • Threat Detection
    • AI and Machine Learning
    • Industrial Internet of Things
  • Multimedia
  • Product Reviews
  • About Us

© 2015 - 2019 IT Security Guru - Website Managed by Calm Logic

This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience.

Privacy settings

Privacy Settings / PENDING

This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit.

NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using.

GDPR Compliance

Powered by Cookie Information