Three new UK firms have just joined the Four Day working week pilot as employers look for ways to improve worker productivity and health to create a more sustainable work environment.
However, for cybersecurity staff across the world, work must be ‘always on’. Threats are increasing in volume and severity. At the same time, cyber teams’ mental wellbeing is suffering under stress.
Is it really possible for those constantly monitoring and mitigating threats to take a day off?
<p>The four-day work week shouldn’t be a fever dream for cybersecurity professionals, though it’s easy to see why it would be. Any lapse in vigilance is prime time for attackers – just look at the <u>Kayesa</u> attack, designed to take place during a national holiday when offices were empty. </p>
<p>Yes, cybersecurity is a critical function and should be ‘always-on’. However, even more critical is its sustainability. This requires a healthy working lifestyle promoting vigilance and energy to react and respond to relentless attacks. </p>
<p>To offer cyber workers a healthier lifestyle, efficiencies can be made through AI and human backup. Automation of cybersecurity challenges (events, alerts, incidents) and beyond (purchasing, hiring etc) is possible through AI-powered endpoint protection and advanced machine learning. This is all powered round-the-clock monitoring, keeping a constant eye on a company’s cyber security defence whenever needed. </p>
<p>Managed detection and response can also be of support; it sees a dedicated team of expert analysts act as an extension of cyber teams, providing actionable intelligence to prevent threats quickly while minimising alert fatigue – the key to mitigating human error. Ultimately, a symbiotic relationship between humans and technology is the key to empowering IT teams and driving their performance, whilst creating modern working practices to increase mental and physical wellbeing.</p>