In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, cybersecurity isn’t just about tools and technology—it’s about people. A strong cybersecurity culture is essential for maintaining an organization’s security posture, but when that culture turns toxic, it can have dire consequences. High turnover, burnout, and fear-based management don’t just harm morale; they actively weaken security and increase risk exposure.
A recent article from Dark Reading highlights the ways in which organizational dysfunction can create vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. Here’s a deeper look at the warning signs of a harmful security culture and how leadership can foster a healthier, more resilient approach.
Signs Your Organization’s Culture is Harming Cybersecurity
1. High Turnover and Burnout
Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, yet many leave organizations due to burnout or feeling undervalued. Rob Lee, chief of research and head of faculty at SANS Institute, notes that when skilled professionals exist in large numbers, it’s often a sign that their concerns are being ignored or that they’re overworked in an unsupportive environment.
Fatigue leads to mistakes, disengagement leads to negligence, and a lack of psychological safety prevents employees from reporting vulnerabilities or security risks. If cybersecurity professionals are constantly overwhelmed, they’re less likely to be proactive in identifying and mitigating threats.
2. Neglecting Training and Development
Many organizations claim to prioritize cybersecurity training, yet they fail to allocate proper resources. When budgets for training and professional development are slashed, it clearly conveys that expertise and growth are not valued.
According to Lee, companies often invest in security tools while neglecting the skilled professionals needed to operate them. This overreliance on technology without the proper personnel can leave security gaps wide open. Cutting corners on training leaves organizations ill-prepared to handle emerging threats.
3. Compliance Over Security
The entire organization becomes vulnerable if security is treated as just another compliance checkbox rather than a fundamental part of risk management. A culture of bare minimum adherence means security measures exist on paper but lack real operational commitment. When employees are discouraged from reporting security risks for fear of punishment, threats can escalate undetected.
According to Lee, a particularly harmful mindset is the “zero-intrusions-allowed” approach, which punishes security teams even when they successfully detect and mitigate threats. The reality is that breaches will happen. Organizations that focus on learning from incidents rather than assigning blame are far more resilient.
4. Poor Communication and Fear of Retaliation
A toxic cybersecurity culture often extends beyond IT and security teams, affecting the entire organization. Employees who fear retaliation for reporting security concerns may stay silent, allowing small vulnerabilities to grow into full-scale breaches.
Nicole Turner, founder and chief culture officer of The Culture Pro, warns that disengaged employees may ignore security protocols, while workplace frustration can even lead to deliberate insider threats. If leadership fails to foster an open and supportive environment, employees are less likely to take security seriously or report concerns promptly.
The Role of Leadership in Cybersecurity Culture
Leadership plays a critical role in shaping an organization’s cybersecurity culture. Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4, emphasizes that leaders who fail to lead by example—by complaining about security policies or failing to follow them—set a damaging precedent.
A strong security culture requires leaders to reframe security as a business enabler rather than an obstacle. This means communicating cybersecurity initiatives in terms that resonate with executives, such as financial stability, operational resilience, and brand reputation.
Beyond messaging, leadership must take action to prevent burnout within cybersecurity teams. Lee warns against treating every security alert as an emergency. Instead, automation should be leveraged to reduce repetitive tasks, and teams should receive the resources they need to succeed.
How to Improve Your Organization’s Cybersecurity Culture
- Prioritize Employee Well-being: Cybersecurity professionals need a healthy work environment to perform their jobs effectively. Organizations must address burnout by ensuring realistic workloads, clear expectations, and opportunities for career growth.
- Invest in Training: Regular training sessions and certifications should be funded to keep security teams up-to-date with evolving threats.
- Foster Open Communication: Employees should feel safe to report security concerns without fear of retaliation. Creating a culture of trust leads to faster threat detection and response.
- Recognize and Reward Security Efforts: Instead of blaming teams for discovering vulnerabilities, organizations should celebrate their ability to detect and mitigate risks.
- Lead by Example: Leadership must actively support and participate in security initiatives, reinforcing that cybersecurity is a company-wide priority.
Conclusion
A toxic cybersecurity culture doesn’t just affect morale—it creates vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. The best defense is a workplace culture that values and supports security professionals. When employees are encouraged to report risks, given the tools they need, and led by example, organizations become far more resilient against cyber threats.
As Lee aptly puts it, “Cybersecurity is about people as much as technology—a strong culture recognizes that and invests in both.”
For more insights on how organizational culture impacts cybersecurity, read the full article on Dark Reading: Signs Your Organization’s Culture Is Hurting Your Cybersecurity.
