Our Guest Columnist of the Week, Mr Shawn Clark
By Shawn Clark – InfoSec Communication Coach
Let’s face it, despite being mission-critical, InfoSec is not the sexiest department in your organization. Long hours, constant stress, and insufficient staff or budget make the job even harder. In this demanding landscape, it’s crucial that you recognize the signs that your team may be struggling.
From increased turnover rates to a decline in performance and communication breakdowns, these signs may indicate underlying issues both within your team and the organization as a whole. By understanding the factors contributing to these challenges, your organization can take proactive steps to support your information security team and ensure the effectiveness of your security initiatives.
5 early warning signs you need to look out for
Recognizing these early warning signs can be crucial in addressing underlying challenges before they escalate.
- Increased turnover rate: Noticeable increase in the number of team members leaving their positions, possibly due to burnout or feeling undervalued. This may include key team members who have been with the organization for a significant period suddenly resigning or expressing intentions to leave – or multiple new hires bouncing in and out quickly.
- Decline in performance: Decrease in productivity and quality of work output, with tasks taking longer to complete or an increase in errors and oversights. For instance, you might observe missed deadlines, frequent rework, or a decrease in the successful implementation of security measures.
- High levels of absenteeism: More frequent absences, whether due to sickness or personal reasons, indicating potential stress-related issues within the team. This could involve an increase in sick days taken by team members or a rise in requests for time off.
- Lack of engagement: Team members appear disengaged or unmotivated, showing little enthusiasm for their work and displaying signs of apathy towards team goals. This may manifest as a lack of participation in team meetings, minimal contribution to discussions, or a general sense of detachment from the team’s objectives.
- Poor communication and collaboration: Breakdowns in communication and collaboration within the team, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and a general sense of disconnection among team members. This could involve instances of miscommunication, reluctance to share information or resources, or a lack of synergy in working towards common objectives.
Several factors can contribute to an environment where the information security team feels over-stressed and overlooked. Understanding these contributing factors is crucial for leaders seeking to address the challenges faced by their teams effectively. By identifying the root causes of stress and neglect within the team, leaders can take targeted action to support their information security professionals and foster a more positive and productive work environment. With this understanding in mind, let’s explore further signs that may indicate the need for intervention and support within the information security team.
7 complicating factors
These challenges can strain your team's efforts and morale. Here are seven complicating factors that can hinder the effectiveness of your information security efforts that require careful attention and strategic intervention.
- Lack of resources: If the organization doesn’t allocate sufficient resources, such as budget, staffing, or technology, the information security team may struggle to meet their objectives. This can lead to feelings of frustration and burnout among team members who are stretched thin.
- Poor leadership support: If organizational leaders don’t prioritize or understand the importance of information security, they may not provide the necessary support or advocate for the team’s needs. This lack of support can make team members feel undervalued and unmotivated.
- High workload: An excessive workload, whether due to understaffing or unrealistic expectations, can overwhelm the information security team. Constantly having to juggle multiple tasks and projects without adequate time or resources can lead to stress and decreased morale.
- Unclear expectations: If the organization’s expectations for the information security team are vague or constantly changing, it can create confusion and frustration. Without clear direction or goals, team members may struggle to prioritize their work effectively, leading to inefficiencies and stress.
- Lack of recognition: If the organization fails to recognize the contributions and achievements of the information security team, team members may feel unappreciated and undervalued. A lack of recognition can erode morale and motivation, making it difficult for the team to stay engaged and committed.
- Communication barriers: Poor communication between the information security team and other departments or leadership can hinder collaboration and create misunderstandings. Without effective communication channels in place, team members may feel isolated and overlooked, leading to feelings of frustration and disengagement.
- Organizational culture: If the organizational culture does not prioritize or value information security, it can create a challenging environment for the information security team. A culture that prioritizes short-term gains over long-term security or views security as an impediment to innovation can undermine the efforts of the information security team and contribute to their feelings of being over-stressed and overlooked.
While the challenges facing information security teams may seem daunting, they also offer an opportunity for organizational leaders to step up and champion their teams. By recognizing the signs of stress and overlooking within their information security teams, leaders can take proactive steps to address underlying issues and provide the support and resources necessary for success. This includes allocating adequate resources, providing clear direction and expectations, fostering open communication, and recognizing the valuable contributions of the information security team.
ConclusionBy prioritizing the well-being and effectiveness of their teams, leaders can not only enhance the security posture of their organizations but also cultivate a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience in the face of evolving threats. As champions for their teams, leaders play a critical role in ensuring the success and longevity of their organization’s information security efforts.
About the author
Shawn Clark is the force behind InfoSecTHRIVE, a dynamic program empowering InfoSec leaders and teams with the influence, communication, and leadership skills they need to secure the resources, recognition, and opportunities they need to thrive. His career started in the 1980s in the world of advertising, evolving into a role as a sales trainer. Drawn by a deeper calling, he immersed himself in personal and professional development, honing his expertise as a trainer under the mentorship of Anthony Robbins starting in 1993. Since establishing his own venture in 2001, Shawn has collaborated with over 4,000 teams and leaders from industry giants like Cox Media, Home Depot, and Disney, as well as esteemed institutions such as the CDC and the DoD. You can learn more about his work at www.InfosecThrive.com