Cyber Warnings Resulted in ‘Security Fatigue’, says study

Numerous warnings related to cyber security have led to “security fatigue”, preventing businesses from maintaining adequate cyber security, according to new research.

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that may of the warnings were ignored.

A number of those who participated in the study said that they felt overwhelmed by updates to software and the sheer volume of passwords to remember, found NIST.

However, the report warned that “risky behaviour” could make businesses more prone to an attack.

Mary Theofanos, a computer scientist who was among the experts behind the study, said:

“We weren’t even looking for fatigue in our interviews, but we got this overwhelming feeling of weariness throughout all of the data.”

Subjects from the study claimed to have felt “overwhelmed” from having to constantly stay alert to potential threats and remembering the need to be safe on the web, and from the various privacy and security polices on the websites they frequented.

Theofanos said:

“Years ago, you had one password to keep up with at work. Now people are being asked to remember 25 or 30.”

Many expressed frustration about the additional security steps they were required to take to reach “their stuff” located in internet bank accounts and other websites.

Cyber security can be overwhelming within a company with no expertise, which is why it is imperative that businesses create cyber security jobs so that they have the necessary knowhow in-house. A professional will be able to coordinate security efforts and ensure that the company’s data remains secure without overwhelming the staff.