CISOs are facing significant challenges, including high levels of work-related stress, with 94% reporting stress at work. This stress is impacting their ability to protect their organizations, as 65% admit it compromises their effectiveness. Additionally, many CISOs feel overwhelmed by limited bandwidth and resources, leading to important security initiatives being neglected.

Automation is crucial for CISOs to manage repetitive tasks and free up time for strategic responsibilities. Many CISOs, including 100% of those surveyed, expressed the need for additional resources, particularly automated tools, to cope with current IT security challenges. This shift towards automation can help reduce stress and improve overall security management.

Work-related stress is significantly impacting cybersecurity teams, with 74% of CISOs reporting that they are losing team members due to stress issues. This turnover not only affects team dynamics but also forces CISOs to compromise on hiring, as 83% admitted to settling for less qualified candidates to fill gaps left by departing employees.