A brand new analysis report from Nagomi Safety has revealed that, over the previous six months, practically three quarters (73%) of US CISOs have reported a major cyber incident. The 2025 CISO Strain Index emphasises how steady widespread breaches and rising inside pressure are reshaping the Chief Info Safety Officer (CISO) position.
Nagomi’s 2025 CISO Strain Index is predicated on a quantitative survey of 100 US-based CISOs throughout main industries.
Curiously, essentially the most constant stress isn’t coming from attackers, it’s coming from contained in the organisation. In line with the info, 87% of CISOs say stress of their position has elevated over the previous yr. Two-thirds report feeling burned out weekly or each day, and 40% thought-about leaving their position altogether.
Board expectations, shrinking assets, and power fatigue are additionally elements inflicting extra pressure. Notably, 42% of CISOs say expectations from boards and executives at the moment are their best supply of stress, greater than the threats themselves. Most oversee sprawling device stacks, with 65% managing 20 or extra safety instruments, but 58% say incidents occurred regardless that these instruments have been in place.
What’s extra, CISOs face private accountability in relation to breaches. Worryingly, 17% say they all the time really feel personally blamed for safety incidents, no matter root trigger, and 39% say they typically really feel blamed – even when incidents fall outdoors their direct management. If a breach have been to happen, 90% say their position could also be in danger to some extent. Such pressured environments create the right place for burnout to thrive.
We all know that AI has launched new safety dangers and challenges, however the report notes that it’s additionally turning into a cost-cutting directive: 82% of CISOs say they’re underneath stress to scale back workers utilizing AI. The result’s a widening hole between duty and management.
Emanuel Salmona, co-founder and CEO of Nagomi Safety, mentioned: “CISOs are managing nonstop danger with restricted help and even much less time. They’re anticipated to be strategic leaders and first responders . One of the simplest ways to help them is to share accountability throughout the enterprise, make outcomes clearer, and provides them the area to concentrate on what really reduces danger.”
Lastly, Nagomi is launching a brand new docuseries entitled Holding the Line, which options in-depth conversations with safety leaders concerning the private {and professional} toll of the position. The collection dives into how the job is evolving, the place stress is coming from, and what wants to vary.
