Contributor: Rory McNeil, CMO, Rayven
A recent survey by Nominet Cyber Security in the UK revealed some startling figures to support this. Eighty-eight per cent of CISOs polled reported they worked far more than 40 hours a week, and a quarter said work stress was definitely impacting their mental health.
More worryingly, 17 per cent said they were leaning on medications and alcohol to cope.
Given it’s both Cyber Security Awareness Month and World Mental Health Month, we figured this was a great chance to get the perspectives of some industry professionals on how to face these challenges and support teams that are often expected to work odd hours and face mounting stress from a growing threat environment.
Rory McNeil, Chief Marketing Officer at Rayven
Keeping on top of my mental health involves being aware of warning signs and taking a proactive approach. I’ve long ditched the ‘work hard, play hard’ macho BS and make sure I’m getting enough sleep, eating well, and undertaking regular physical activity – even if it’s just a short walk to get out of the house when I’m working from home.
Recent reports showing cyber professionals are under mounting pressure and stress are concerning but not surprising. The sector is facing a multitude of challenges, ranging from the growing and increasingly complex nature of cyber threats to the ongoing skills shortage and constant need for upskilling – it’s a 24/7/365 role.
Many business leaders will be looking to technology for quick fixes, and AI is one of the latest so-called solutions to helping everyone do ‘more with less’. In reality, though, AI is still a pipe dream for many businesses, and it can add to the pressure on tech professionals who need to somehow bring their executives’ AI visions to life while having to deal with countless hurdles on the ground. Real-time data, for example, is often the biggest challenge people at the coal face are dealing with. Without it, businesses don’t stand a chance at using AI, let alone experiencing any benefits from its capabilities.
For business, tech, and cyber leaders wanting to proactively address the mental health crisis within their teams, one of the simplest things they can do is talk to their staff about what’s realistic, what the actual challenges are, and how they as the leader of the business can contribute to overcoming those challenges. Having big-picture visions is important, but those visions will pay a heavy toll if the people expected to bring those visions to life aren’t supported throughout the process.
If you'd like to find out more about how the Rayven Platform can help you to conquer business challenges, fast - all without having to change or update your current technologies - please book a demo and get some free, custom advice from one of our experts.
This article was featured on Cyber Daily here on 18-Oct-24.