Security Fatigue: Causes & Steps To Combat in the Workplace 

Are you tired of your company's avalanche of security protocols? Reminders of needed upgrades, patches, and new passwords can be taxing on a workforce. It can be tempting to ignore prompts, click on suspicious links out of curiosity, or use less-than-optimal passwords or security practices.  This feeling of being overwhelmed by the security protocols at your workplace is a phenomenon known as security fatigue. Let’s explore security fatigue further, including what causes it, symptoms to be aware of, and potential consequences for your workplace if your workforce begins to encounter security fatigue. 

malware foundWhat Is Security Fatigue? 

Security fatigue, as defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a "weariness or reluctance to deal with computer security." It's the feeling of being overwhelmed by security policies, warnings, and demands, which can lead to users making risky decisions or ignoring security protocols.  Some examples of security fatigue include connecting to corporate networks without a VPN or using unsecured public wi-fi hotspots, ignoring security alerts or warnings, failing to update software or devices regularly, using easy-to-guess passwords or reusing passwords across multiple accounts, failing to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) or disabling it after enabling it or clicking on suspicious links in emails or social media messages. It could also be seen in the form of sharing login credentials or other sensitive information or using work devices for personal use without proper security measures. 

What Causes Security Fatigue?

Employees can suffer from this very real phenomenon due to a variety of reasons, including both intentional and unintentional factors. For some, the overwhelming number of alerts and policies can be too much to juggle, making it critical that companies provide support from an IT department or Managed IT support. It is also important to automate as many of these tasks as possible, including updates and installations of patches, to reduce the number of alerts that can be desensitized. These examples of security fatigue are a part of unintentional fatigue caused by the sheer number of security measures that employees must follow.  On the intentional side of the coin is the idea that an employee is deliberately noncompliant with security measures because they disagree with them or simply feel that they are not their responsibility. In either case, it is paramount that the IT department or IT specialists help make the policies as simple as possible and that training is available to help a workforce understand the necessity and gravity of following security procedures. 

Consequences of Security Fatigue

As a workforce becomes more overwhelmed by security prompts, they may start ignoring them, leading to vulnerabilities and increased risks. The impacts could include a lapse in security protocols leading to negative impacts such as security breaches, reputational damage or financial losses.  Combating security fatigue is no small feat. Simplifying and automating security measures is a great first step that should be followed up by ongoing employee training that emphasizes awareness of the issue. A focus on employee burnout should also be a part of the equation, including researching how AI could be a solution to stopping the tidal wave of security information and measures that can easily lead to burnout.  If you are noticing the signs of security fatigue at your workplace, reach out to the Spectra Networks team with your questions, comments, or concerns. We'll be here to assist you and your organization.