Cybermindz.org is a not-for-profit pioneer in mental health solutions for cybersecurity professionals, and has announced the launch of its revolutionary 12-month program, CISO Support, specifically tailored for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and cyber leaders confronting the daily risk of burnout.
Cybersecurity, by its very nature, is a battleground of skill, knowledge and endurance. For those at the helm, like CISOs, the role is not just a job; it’s a 24×7 commitment to safeguarding digital systems and assets.
Recognising the immense psychological toll this takes, Cybermindz has responded with CISOSupport – a program that goes beyond conventional support mechanisms to target the heart of CISO burnout – the emotional depletion, depersonalisation and loss of self-efficacy that comes from fighting a relentless battle against highly motivated, well-resourced, but unseen forces.
The news follows the launch of Cybermindz’ RapidReset program and the SteadyShields program, which combined with CISOSupport are truly formidable – click the links in this sentence to learn more about them both, too.
Cybermindz Founder Peter Coroneos explained the genesis of the preventative and restorative program:
“There is a growing body of anecdotal and hard evidence showing the toll cyber leadership pressures are having on the individuals and their families. Our own research is showing burnout rates exceeding those of frontline healthcare workers, and other studies are showing intended resignations from these roles of over 40% in the next 24 months.”
“In 2023, we followed 180 cyber professionals through our 12 group Pilot Programs. After just 8 weeks, participants reported an average 27.3% overall stress reduction across ten metrics, a 30.7% increase in coping abilities, and a 50.8% decrease in feeling overwhelmed by difficulties.
Coroneos continued: “Building on the insights we gained from those programs, we decided to create something specific for leaders, who are carrying the biggest burden. We believe this a world first, combining methodologies that have extensive research and application in the military and are now proven in cybersecurity.
“We are initially rolling this program out in Australia, followed by the US and the UK where we have established our presence during 2022 and 2023. We hope that doing this will have a meaningful impact on personal wellbeing and, by extension, organisational and society resilience.”
Peter Coroneos also stated: “In what has become a war of attrition between global threat actors and cyber defenders, this is one battle we can’t afford to lose.”
Director of Organisational and Behavioural Research, Dr Andrew Reeves expanded on the urgency of the need: “Research by Cybermindz and the University of Adelaide is demonstrating that CISOs bear the brunt of ever increasing pressures and unrealistic expectations coming from diverse vectors.
“The latest data suggests that CISOs are at imminent risk burning out, and this heightened state frequently causes interruptions to their sleep, their personal lives, and erodes their hope for the future. CISOSupport is designed with CISO’s unique needs in mind.”
“Specifically adapted from well-evidenced methods in military settings,” Dr Reeves added, “this new offering of Cybermindz promises to be a key pivot point for embattled CISOs to reinforce themselves against the pressures inherent in their work.”
About the Program:
CISOSupport brings together confidential, year-round, one-on-one mentorship with experienced mental health trainers informed in cybersecurity language and culture. It employs the groundbreaking Integrative Restoration (iRest) ‘Dyad’ approach developed by acclaimed heath care pioneer, Dr Richard Miller and his team at the iRest Institute in California. The program is underpinned by a robust neuroscience-based framework, focusing on building resilience and mental clarity. It employs metrics on progress, ensuring trackable improvements in mental well-being for participants.
About Cybermindz.org:
Cybermindz.org is an Australian formed not-for-profit dedicated to providing mental health support tailored for the cybersecurity sector. Combining expertise in cybersecurity and mental health, Cybermindz.org is at the forefront of addressing the unique challenges faced by professionals in this field.
Peter Coroneos has longstanding leadership credentials in the cyber and technology sectors.
Twice invited to the White House to advise the Obama Administration on cybersecurity policy he served as chief executive of Australia’s Internet Industry Association (from 1997-2011). He recently served as International VP of the Paris-based Cybersecurity Advisors Network. Peter led the development of the 2010 icode anti-botnet scheme reaching near-ubiquitous coverage in Australia. The Obama Administration subsequently urged the development of a parallel program which, by 2012, had covered approximately 276 million US internet users. He was also government appointed leader of industry delegation to Washington as part of the US/Australia bilaterals on critical infrastructure protection. Peter is also an accredited Integrative Restoration (iRest) teacher and practitioner of this and related disciplines since 1977. He is qualified in science, education and law.
Dr Andrew Reeves, Defence and Security Institute, University of Adelaide; Director of Organisational and Behavioural Research, Cybermindz.org.
Dr Reeves a psychologist and Defence-Funded Researcher within the School of Computer Science, University of Adelaide. PhD in Psychology focusing on the human aspects of cybersecurity. His work relates to the ‘three humans’ of cybersecurity: the victim’s psychology, the attacker’s psychology, and the defender’s psychology. His role oversees the research wing of the Cybermindz product offering, under the four strategic pillars of measure, advise, assist, and certify. His current focus is building capacity within Cybermindz to assess the mental health of cybersecurity professionals and investigate how the iRest protocol delivered by Cybermindz’ facilitators leads to increased outcomes in resilience, sleep quality, and psychological capital.
