Burnout in cyber security is a tale as old as time, but it’s one that deserves more attention – particularly during Mental Health Awareness Week. From CISOs under mounting strategic pressure to SOC analysts facing relentless alert volumes, the toll on mental health is growing.
At e2e-assure, we believe a healthy, resilient security function starts with a healthy, supported team. That’s why we’re taking a moment to spotlight the causes of burnout in our industry, and how our unique approach helps organisations protect not just their assets, but their people.
Why is burnout so prominent in cyber?
Security leaders and analysts are operating in increasingly high-pressure environments. Common challenges include:
- Volume of alerts, with incredibly high levels of false positives
- Unrealistic expectations, particularly around 24/7 response
- Talent shortages, leading to stretched teams and increased pressure
- Constant change, from threats to tooling to compliance
It all adds up. Reports show over 50% of cyber professionals have experienced mental health struggles. And when the pressure’s constant due to high stakes and board pressures, the risk of mistakes, turnover and disengagement increases.
What’s driving burnout?
Two core issues are consistently at the root of the problem:
- Alert fatigue
SOC analysts often deal with thousands of daily alerts, many of which are not actionable. If logs and rules aren’t properly tuned, genuine threats get lost in the noise, leaving analysts mentally exhausted and security exposed.
- Resource gaps
CISOs face growing responsibilities with static or shrinking teams. Building a fully functional internal SOC is costly and time-consuming. Without the right people and tooling in place, the workload becomes unsustainable.
A Better Way: Managed Detection and Response
This is where a partnership with a trusted provider like e2e-assure becomes invaluable. Our Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service is designed to reduce internal strain by becoming an extension of your team while improving security outcomes.
We provide:
- 24/7/365 detection and response from our UK-based SOC
- Ongoing tuning and optimisation of alerting to reduce false positives
- Human-led investigations, so only meaningful, prioritised alerts are escalated
- Direct access to experienced analysts via our dedicated Teams App, removing barriers between people and expertise which plugs right into your existing software
The result? A calmer, more focused security environment where internal teams aren’t overwhelmed, and real threats get the attention they deserve.
Teamwork makes the dream work
We know the resourcing challenge can’t be solved by technology alone. That’s why we work closely with organisations like IASME to help bridge skills gaps across the industry. Together, we support:
- Charities and small businesses with limited internal capability
- Training and enablement programmes to build long-term resilience
- Accessible security solutions that don’t compromise on quality
By helping build a stronger, more inclusive cyber ecosystem, we’re actively reducing the burden felt by teams across the sector.
Mental health is everyone’s responsibility
Supporting mental health in security roles starts with rethinking how teams are structured and supported. Here’s what actually makes the difference:
- Cutting down on unnecessary alerts through optimisations
- Providing the right tools and trusted partners for success
- Creating a culture where asking for help is encouraged, not avoided
We’re proud to play a role in reducing burnout for our customers and colleagues alike. Because better security isn’t just about stopping threats, it’s also about enabling people to do their best work without burning out in the process.
