Cybersecurity Stress Pushes 60% of IT Workers to Consider Leaving

Cyberattacks, heavy workloads and understaffing are putting pressure on IT and security teams, according to an international survey commissioned by security provider Object First. The survey included 1,100 people working in IT or security in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. It did not include Swedish IT organizations.

Six in ten respondents said they had considered or were actively looking for a new job because of work-related stress. Separately, 39% said they were considering resigning. Security risks caused uncomfortable workplace stress for 91% of respondents. Cyberattacks and heavy workloads or understaffing were each cited as stressors by 50%, followed by pressure to keep systems running at 44%.

Some respondents also reported effects on performance and recovery readiness. A total of 78% said stress negatively affected their work performance. Only 24% considered their organization well prepared for growing threats, and 37% felt confident that its data could be fully restored after a ransomware attack. Meanwhile, 74% described recovery tools as difficult to use without specialized security expertise.

The survey also found mixed views of AI: 90% said AI tools had improved their productivity, while 70% said the rise in AI-driven cyber threats had affected their workplace stress. In addition, 42% felt pressure from management to solve every problem after a security incident, and 59% said their employer did not consistently prioritize employee well-being and mental health.

Dynata conducted the survey for Object First in July 2026, with 500 respondents in the United States and 300 each in the United Kingdom and Germany.