Object First has released new data that underscores growing mental health concerns among IT and cybersecurity professionals in the face of rising cyber threats.

In a survey of 500 participants, 84% said they feel uncomfortably stressed at work because of IT security risks, while 78% expressed fear they would be personally blamed for security incidents. The research suggests a gap in how organisations support their IT staff, pointing to a need for both mental health resources and less complex security technology.

The report indicates that almost half of respondents (47%) experience pressure from leadership to “fix everything” following a security incident. Nearly one in five, 18%, described themselves as feeling “hopeless and overwhelmed” during and after such events. The survey also points to a significant turnover risk, with 59% saying they have considered or actively started looking for new jobs due to workplace stress.

Heavy workloads and understaffed teams were identified as the most common sources of stress, cited by 55% of respondents. These challenges are compounded by worries over cyber-attacks and the responsibility of maintaining uptime and service availability.

At the same time, half of those surveyed said their companies do not consistently prioritise employee wellbeing and mental health. When support was available, respondents highlighted employee assistance programmes, flexible schedules, comprehensive benefits, mental health services, and paid time off as particularly valuable.

The research also reveals frustrations with existing technology. Seventy-four per cent of participants said their data recovery tools are too complex to use without security expertise, which they view as adding to stress levels. Meanwhile, 67% believe that faster, higher-performing backup solutions capable of minimising downtime would not only improve productivity but also provide greater confidence in responding to cyber-attacks.

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A further 67% reported that stronger third-party validation, with technology independently tested by credible organisations for security and reliability, would enhance IT teams’ ability to recover from incidents.

“The mounting stress on IT and cybersecurity professionals isn’t just an HR issue; it’s a business resilience challenge,” said David Bennett, CEO, Object First.

“Our research shows that the pressure to be the last line of cyber defense is taking a serious toll on these professionals’ mental health and job performance. As cyber threats continue to escalate in frequency and sophistication, the risk of compromised productivity and loss of top talent to burnout could leave organisations more vulnerable than ever.”