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burnout

Kaspersky: Retaining InfoSec Professionals | Burnout Report

by Madaline Dunn 8 months ago

written by Madaline Dunn

A recent study by cybersecurity company Kaspersky revealed that burnout in information security (InfoSec) professionals is a prevalent cause of staff turnover.

The study noted that companies are facing challenges in recruiting and retaining experienced InfoSec professionals, which is exacerbated by the cyberthreat landscape and a wide skills shortage.

The study revealed that 40 per cent of companies’ cybersecurity teams are understaffed, and experienced professionals are difficult to find, recruit and then retain, due to high demand and limited supply.

Junior InfoSec roles are generally filled within six months (70 per cent). In contrast, staffing senior roles is much more difficult, with more than half of companies (58 per cent) taking between four and nine months to find suitable candidates, and 36 per cent nine months or more. Only 6 per cent of those roles are filled in one to three months.

Senior InfoSec professionals tend to stay in roles longer, with 49 per cent remaining in top-level positions once achieved. Junior employees have a higher turnover rate, most staying three or four years, and only a small fraction (3 per cent) remaining beyond five years.

The study also examined resignation factors leading InfoSec professionals to leaving their roles. Personal dissatisfaction and lack of growth within a business were one of the main contributors (59 per cent), along with a lack of management support and monotonous workloads. High stress levels and inflexible working also contributed to a high turnover.

An important finding is that 46 per cent of experts are dissatisfied due to the lack of opportunity to work with the latest technologies and tools.

Burnout is not the result of one stressful incident; it is a state of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion driven by repeated stress, Kaspersky outlined. Professionals have reported high rates of stress and monotonous work, which are key contributors to developing burnout.

“The insidious nature of burnout is that it develops gradually, often fooling hard-working professionals into believing that living in a constant state of stress is normal and acceptable. As a result, it can be difficult for individuals to recognize and address it early on,” it said.

Kaspersky advised companies to find ways to relieve the stress faced by InfoSec professionals, provide them with tools to alleviate pressure, and offer support and feedback.

BCCD panel spotlights employer role in improving workplace wellbeing

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The British Chamber of Commerce Dubai (BCCD) recently convened an expert panel to explore the critical role of employers in improving workplace wellbeing.

The panel discussion was the latest in the Chamber’s Business Briefings series, bringing together industry experts to explore emerging trends and provide practical advice to companies navigating the region’s business landscape.

On the panel, the group of health, wellness, and human resource professionals shared organisational solutions to the growing trend of work-related stress.

Indeed, a recent Cigna Healthcare study found that while the UAE has some of the highest vitality scores in the world, 89 per cent of UAE employees feel ‘always on’,” with 77 per cent of seeking help from employers in leading a healthier lifestyle.

At the event, unpacking these findings, Leah Cotterill, Chief Distribution Officer of Cigna Healthcare, revealed that while in the UAE, 32 per cent of respondents reported high vitality levels, 99 per cent had experienced at least one symptom of burnout over the course of the past year.

That being said, Cotterill also highlighted the shift in mindset since the pandemic, with 75 per cent of respondents acknowledging that looking after their health and wellbeing is more important than before. Sixty-five per cent also said they value personal time over a well-paid job.

“Employers need a higher focus on mental health support. Our Vitality Study is call to action is for leaders to listen to employees’ changing priorities, and adapt to evolving work preferences for a healthier, more productive environment.”

On the panel, UK-based Family Therapist Joanne Jewell also outlined the wide-ranging impacts of stress and burnout, ultimately placing a burden on a business’ bottom line through employee health insurance.

Meanwhile, Founder of mentl, Scott Armstrong, shared data from 2022 indicating that UAE businesses lost 500 million dollars an hour due to disengaged employees.

The panel emphasised that open conversations and advocacy from the top of an organisation are key to improving workforce vitality.

Head of Human Resources at Jaguar Land Rover, Laura Lawson highlighted how leadership from the C-suite has helped to embed employee wellbeing as a strategic metric across Jaguar Land Rover.

“The leadership recognises that employee wellbeing goes hand-in-hand with business performance, and you cannot be successful with a disengaged workforce.”

Lawson spotlighted various policies it had implemented in the workplace, such as hybrid working models and the option to work remotely from anywhere for 30 days a year.

Ultimately, the panel stressed the importance of taking a long-term approach to workplace wellness.

Jewell outlined that employers must demonstrate their wellbeing credentials to attract and retain talent among the incoming Generation Z employees.

Armstrong also highlighted the long-term return on investment, amounting to more than 300 per cent across organisations investing in wellness programs, while Cotterill revealed how building data over time can help to direct resources to the right vitality initiatives within a particular business.

1 year ago 0 comments

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The Cigna Healthcare Study

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Cigna Healthcare recently unveiled the results of its Cigna Healthcare Vitality Study.

The global survey of over 10,000 respondents in 12 markets assessed eight key aspects of vitality – emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual, assessing whole-person health.

It also examined how individuals perceive their autonomy, competency, and relatedness.

The survey found that the UAE’s specifically witnesses higher-than-average vitality levels, and a better work-life balance.

Thirty-two per cent of UAE respondents reported high vitality levels, surpassing the global average of 17 per cent, however, this figure was a 7 per cent decrease from the previous study.

The results also indicated some variability between men and women, with women showing marginally higher vitality than men. Millennials (ages 25-44), meanwhile, came out on top when compared with different age groups.

Indeed, while the UAE outperformed the global average, Saudi Arabia scored a higher level of vitality at 38 per cent.

From the wellbeing perspective, intellectual and emotional wellbeing were found to be prioritised by UAE respondents, with 71 per cent expressing that they value learning new things and 65 per cent looking forward to each new day.

However, at the same time, stress and burnout were found to remain high at 89 per cent, with 99 per cent of respondents experiencing burnout symptoms.

The ‘cost of living crisis’ was found to be the leading cause of stress (45%), followed by personal and family financial concerns.

The survey also revealed that 61 per cent are working full-time in the office and others in hybrid arrangements., a shift which has led to increased concentration at work (44%) and enhanced coworker relationships (40%).

Further, in the UAE, 74 per cent of employees feel challenged by inflation in the context of maintaining health, with 77 per cent desiring more employer support.

Private health insurance plans (83%), flexible work arrangements (35%), and mental health support (33%) were the top employee preferences for health programs.

1 year ago 0 comments