In the Midst of Demand: Cybersecurity Wrestles with Layoffs and Burnout

Despite early expectations that the cybersecurity industry would be immune to the tech sector’s wave of layoffs, hundreds of cybersecurity workers have received pink slips in the last few months. In the previous month, at least nine cybersecurity companies have announced layoffs, including IronNet, Malwarebytes, Fortinet, NCC Group, Rapid7, Dragos, HackerOne, and Bishop Fox. While demand for cybersecurity products and workers has never been higher, competition among cybersecurity vendors has spurred layoffs as companies try to cut costs to better prepare for a potential recession and any other unexpected changes the macro economy brings next year.

Cybersecurity professionals are facing a mental health crisis due to the intense work demands of the industry, according to a report by CyberScoop. Despite a growing awareness of mental health struggles within the industry, sources said there still aren’t enough resources inside companies or across the broader cybersecurity community for professionals dealing with burnout, stress, and the intense anxiety of working in a high-pressure environment. A 2022 study by the security platform Tines of more than 1,000 security professionals across the U.S. and Europe found that 66% of respondents had “significant levels of stress at work,” with nearly as many saying their stress impacted their work performance. The same study found that almost 20% of respondents consumed more than three drinks a day, and 51% had been prescribed medication for their mental health.

I’m a bit of a bummer today on security.  I want to highlight two significant reasons to care.   The first story is about the intense desire by cybersecurity companies to sell stuff.      Sure, that’s obvious, but think about it again.   Excessive hype about cyber security is good for them – yet remember they are pushing for continual profit, and there is still volatility in this market.    

And they’re doing it in a burnout market.  MSPs might face challenges recruiting top talent if they don’t actively address these concerns. Demonstrating a commitment to employee well-being can be a competitive advantage.  MSPs should consider investing in training programs that teach their staff resilience, stress management, and self-care techniques.  This is a marathon, not a sprint.