10th—16th June 2024 marked International Men’s Mental Health Week, and it’s something we have to talk about, especially as practitioners in the cyber industry. Whether we like it or not, the facts cannot be disputed: cybersecurity is still a male-dominated industry, burnout and stress run rife, and men are far more reluctant than women to talk about mental health.
Most of the time, the first step in getting help with mental health is talking about it or, in many cases, hearing someone else talk about it. Research by the Mental Health Foundation found that around 1 in 8 men have a common mental health issue (like stress, anxiety, or depression); however, over 40% of men say they’ve never spoken to anyone about their mental health. For many, the simple act of opening up and disclosing such a fact can feel like a scarlet letter. But why?
I have previously written about vulnerability in cybersecurity for Forbes. Inextricably tied to the language and marketing that surrounds cybersecurity is a sense of absolute strength, at all costs, at all times. Cybersecurity professionals (and their trusty tools) are “defenders” who “continuously” work to bring security and strength to organisations. Additionally, in the language of cyber, vulnerability is a really bad thing. This burden (and a big burden it is) looms large over cybersecurity professionals, piling on the pressure, and leading to burnout and poor mental health outcomes. Many of these issues go undiagnosed, taken as a less-than-welcome part of the job. As a result, a culture of machismo runs rife throughout the industry - and no one is talking about it.
However, this is not just an issue in cybersecurity. Society, as a whole, needs to nurture men more. To build a healthier society, whether in cyber or otherwise, we must support men and preach that vulnerability is not a bad thing. Ultimately, we must work to deconstruct the toxic ideal of masculinity. First, we must highlight the importance of interpersonal relationships and building warm, positive bonds with peers. Studies have shown that when social isolation is experienced long-term, it substantially increases the risk of premature death. Male loneliness is an important issue, but one that I do not have the space for here. For more information and support on this topic, the Mind website is a treasure trove of helpful resources.
When we talk about mental health in cybersecurity, we must bring our attention to neurodiverse individuals too. It is thought that 70% of neurodiverse employees worldwide experience mental health issues. As 15% of the UK population is thought to be neurodiverse, the number potentially struggling with their mental health is exceptionally worrying. In an industry that almost expects its professionals to fit a cookie-cutter ‘machismo’ mould, we’re missing out on and losing talent because of it. Not only this but there’s still a stigma that surrounds neurodivergence. Remember the scarlet letter from earlier on?
I want to highlight that there are opportunities where these skills can be harnessed, and cybersecurity is one of those industries. Attention to detail, for example, is an admirable trait (see the recent Utils XZ backdoor discovery found because someone had exceptional attention to detail). There are also employers who genuinely strive to meet people where they’re at and celebrate ‘difference’ in its many forms.
At ACDS, we’re fighting convention and embracing differences. We understand that all individuals are just that, individuals, with needs of their own, so we meet them where they’re at and celebrate their unique strengths. We’re building the safe spaces needed to engage in these conversations with ease too. Ultimately, we aim for human connection, building on people’s individual strengths, as opposed to distilling the skills of others into specific boxes.
We cannot be safer and more secure as a society if those who work within the industry are suffering. We must keep the conversation going.
Helpful Resources:
UK Emergency Services: If you are in danger, call 999. For urgent mental health advice or support, call 111. Alternatively, visit https://111.nhs.uk/triage/check-your-mental-health-symptom to access immediate advice.
The Samaritans: Free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day. Call 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org (for a reply within 24 hours ) or visit https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Shout 85258: For free, confidential support, 24/7, text SHOUT to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line. Visit https://giveusashout.org/get-help/