CISOs are experiencing burnout primarily due to overwhelming stress from evolving cyberthreats and long working hours. A study by BlackFog indicates that nearly 93% of CISOs cite stress as a key driver for considering leaving their roles. The pressure is compounded by the need to manage increasingly sophisticated threats, such as AI-powered attacks and ransomware, while often working beyond their contracted hours—averaging an additional nine hours per week.

Organizations can support their cybersecurity teams by investing in additional resources and budgets, as 41% of CISOs report that insufficient budgets hinder their ability to access necessary security tools. Providing flexible work hours and remote work options can help, but it's also crucial to foster a supportive culture that prioritizes mental health. Encouraging leaders to take time off and seek mental health support can significantly reduce burnout risks.

The consequences of cybersecurity burnout can be significant, leading to high turnover rates among security leaders, which creates vulnerabilities in an organization's defenses. As the cyber threat landscape becomes more complex, failing to address burnout risks losing top talent and leaving critical security gaps. This can hinder an organization's ability to effectively respond to and mitigate emerging threats.