Page 180 - Cyber Defense eMagazine July 2024

Burnout From the Top Down

2024 has already set a new record for ransomware attacks as the number of new leak sites reached an
all-time high for a single quarter. So far this year, the world has seen a number of high-profile ransomware
attacks, including the Ascension Healthcare network and Change Healthcare attacks. These nationwide
incidents forced cybersecurity teams nationwide into overdrive to protect their systems from similar
vulnerabilities. On top of this, organizations are dealing with unsurmountable stress internally.

What's more, a recent SEC regulation now requires public companies to disclose cybersecurity incidents
within four days of the incident being determined material, thrusting CISOs into the hot seat, nervously
awaiting a cybersecurity blunder that could derail their careers. The mental and physical health of C-suite
executives is dwindling, leaving some looking towards the exit. While C-suite professionals in the
cybersecurity industry are 34% more likely than average respondents to say they currently want to quit
their jobs, almost half of cybersecurity professionals at all levels are currently experiencing burnout.

Over the past six years, a third of cybersecurity teams have faced layoffs, with more internal shifts on the
horizon. When layoffs occur, the uncertainty can have negative implications across the board. 67% of
cybersecurity professionals agree that layoffs and resignations cause noticeable disruptions to their
ability to maintain high-security standards. This is a 10% increase from 2023, demonstrating how cyber
professionals are noticing these issues compound each year. The cybersecurity industry must find new
ways to alleviate the burdensome workload currently on their plates or else they risk losing more talented
professionals with each year to burnout.

Where AI Can Help

When put in the right hands, AI may provide immense benefits within the workplace. Our annual report
found that 73% of cybersecurity professionals already view AI as a valuable tool rather than a threat to
the organization. AI can help companies stay competitive by appealing to new generations of talent
expecting the next tech, streamlining administrative tasks like reports, and monitoring data for
irregularities.

From network traffic monitoring to checking for vulnerabilities, cybersecurity professionals have a
multitude of items on their plate that could be alleviated by AI. Of course, that’s not to say this technology
can fully take on the role of a trained cybersecurity professional or that it doesn’t cost something to begin
to adopt AI. A new and ongoing learning burden exists for all who want the benefits. In fact, AI should be
viewed as a new intern at the company. Colleagues should check its work for accuracy and jump in
should issues arise, but ultimately, it can be trusted with a variety of lower-stake projects.

At Cobalt, for instance, we’re seeing an increased demand for pentests as companies incorporate
offensive security strategies into their defense plans. Pentests can effectively uncover known and new
vulnerabilities in various systems, making them a significant asset for cybersecurity teams. These tests
are thorough, and with that, they’re also time-consuming. Our pentesters have found ways to leverage
AI to automate report generation, free up time to address vulnerabilities and implement new security
measures.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – July 2024 Edition 180
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