EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
As cybersecurity regulations continue to grow in number and complexity , many organisations find themselves struggling to keep up . In fact , according to a recent survey by ISMS . online , over the past year , more than 99 % of UK businesses have incurred fines for data breaches or violation of data protection rules . The increasing demands of adhering to multiple standards can quickly become overwhelming , often leading to burnout among staff tasked with ensuring compliance , particularly when teams are balancing day-today operations alongside audit preparations .
The research also found that compliance processes can be demanding and time-consuming with over 65 % citing that it took between 6 – 18 months to meet compliance with GDPR alone . Similarly , 60 % took the same length of time to comply with NIST and ISO 27701 , and 57 % struggled to meet ISO 27001 and The Privacy Act , needing as much as 18 months to do so .
These are just a few of the myriad of legislations that businesses are facing and the resulting regulatory fines for non-compliance .
The constant pressure to keep up with evolving threats , regulations and the complexities of protecting sensitive data and the sheer volume of responsibilities placed on cybersecurity
TO TACKLE THIS CHALLENGE EFFECTIVELY , ORGANISATIONS SHOULD CONSIDER A MORE STREAMLINED APPROACH TO COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT . professionals , creates a stressful , highstakes environment . Many teams feel overburdened , underresourced and faced with ever-increasing workloads , leading to exhaustion and disengagement .
A Gartner study highlights the severity of the issue , predicting that nearly half of cybersecurity leaders will change jobs by 2025 , with 25 % leaving the industry entirely due to workplace stress . This exodus will only exacerbate the existing skills gap , making it even harder for organisations to attract and retain top talent . As cybersecurity threats evolve and regulatory demands grow more complex , professionals are often stuck in a reactive cycle , struggling to stay ahead of risks while also meeting stringent compliance standards .
Without sufficient support , resources or work / life balance , burnout becomes inevitable . Addressing this issue is crucial not just for individual wellbeing but for the stability and security of the business as a whole .
To tackle this challenge effectively , organisations should consider a more streamlined approach to compliance management . Rather than treating each regulation as an isolated requirement , adopting an integrated system that aligns various frameworks can significantly reduce duplication of effort . Leveraging technology that automates key processes , such as tracking regulatory updates , generating reports and maintaining evidence , can also ease the pressure on teams and ensure nothing falls through the cracks .
By focusing on proactive planning and ongoing monitoring , rather than last-minute audit preparation , organisations can stay ahead of their compliance obligations without the stress of scrambling to meet deadlines . This approach not only prevents burnout but also mitigates the fear of failing audits and ensuring that cybersecurity standards are met .
LUKE DASH , CEO , ISMS . ONLINE
22 www . intelligentcxo . com