Gartner Predicts 1 in 4 Cybersecurity Leaders Will Leave the Field by 2025

A new forecast from research firm Gartner estimates that nearly half of all cybersecurity leaders will change jobs by 2025. And 25% will move to non-security roles due to multiple work-related stressors.

"Cybersecurity professionals are facing unsustainable levels of stress," explained Deepti Gopal, director analyst at Gartner, in a statement. "CISOs are on the defense, with the only possible outcomes that they don't get hacked or they do. The psychological impact of this directly affects decision quality and the performance of cybersecurity leaders and their teams."

Gartner points to organizational culture and under-prioritization of security risk management as culprits behind the predicted cybersecurity talent churn. "Gartner research shows that compliance-centric cybersecurity programs, low executive support and subpar industry-level maturity are all indicators of an organization that does not view security risk management as critical to business success," the research firm said. "Organizations of this type are likely to experience higher attrition as talent leaves for roles where their impact is felt and valued."

"Burnout and voluntary attrition are outcomes of poor organizational culture," added Gopal. "While eliminating stress is an unrealistic goal, people can manage incredibly challenging and stressful jobs in cultures where they're supported."

Gartner also noted:

  • By 2025, half of major data security incidents will be the result of lack of talent or human failure;
  • 69% of employees have bypassed their organization's cybersecurity guidance in the past year, according to a recent Gartner survey;
  • 74% of employees in the same survey said they would be willing to bypass cybersecurity guidance if it helped them or their team achieve a business objective; and
  • Also by 2025, half of medium and large enterprises will adopt an insider risk management program, up from 10% now.

The full forecast is available to Gartner clients at gartner.com.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • minimalist bookcase filled with textbooks featuring vibrant, solid-colored spines with no text, and a prominent number "25" displayed on one of the shelves

    OpenStax Celebrates 25th Anniversary

    OpenStax is celebrating its 25th anniversary as 2024 comes to a close. The open educational resources initiative from Rice University has served almost 37 million students in 153 countries and saved students nearly $3 billion in course material costs since its launch in 1999.

  • Purdue University

    Purdue Opens Large Esports Facility

    Purdue University has opened a new gaming lounge for students training and competing in esports as well as casual gamers. The institution partnered with Dell Technologies to outfit the 2,000-square-foot-space with Alienware gaming equipment.

  • Abstract geometric pattern with interconnected nodes and lines

    Microsoft 365 Copilot Gets Expanded AI Capabilities, Collaboration Tools

    Microsoft has announced the next updates to its Microsoft 365 Copilot AI assistant, including expanded AI capabilities in individual apps, the ability to create autonomous agents, and a new AI-powered collaboration workspace.

  • glowing lines connecting colorful nodes on a deep blue and black gradient background

    Juniper Launches AI-Native Networking and Security Management Platform

    Juniper Networks has introduced a new solution that integrates security and networking management under a unified cloud and artificial intelligence engine.