Mental Health – The Infosec Problem – Black Hills Information Security

by Amanda Berlin of Mental Health Hackers

This article was originally published in the second edition of the InfoSec Survival Guide. Get it for free online HERE or order your $1 physical copy at the Spearphish General Store.

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, and with it, comes many mental health issues above and beyond our daily lives. We are all under a lot of stress, as we are responsible for protecting data, the environment, and more from attackers, regardless of our role. This can lead to burnout, imposter syndrome, extreme anxiety, and more. .

Common Mental Health Issues in Cybersecurity

• Extreme fatigue it is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. One of the reasons why we are prone to burnout is because we are constantly bombarded with new threats, attacks and vulnerabilities. Sometimes we feel that “we always have to go on,” even to the detriment of our lives.
• Stress and anxiety are common in the field of cybersecurity. Our bodies are not built to be in a constant state of “fight or flight”.
• Imposter syndrome it is a feeling of inadequacy and insecurity, despite evidence to the contrary. We are often surrounded by highly skilled and knowledgeable people; it’s one of the strangest parts of our society, but it can also be an indirect source of stress.

Prevention Tips

• Take a break; try not to look at your screen too often. The work/life balance is tough. Are you overwhelmed or stressed? Go do something else to turn your brain off at work.
• Exercise is a powerful way to reduce stress and anxiety. It’s not just about being healthy, it’s about reconnecting your mind with your body. You don’t have to beat exercise – even a simple, short walk can do wonders. If it’s too hard, start small… start somewhere.
• Take care of yourself by talking to yourself like a friend, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising. This is easier said than done. Start small and work toward achievable goals to create healthy habits. (Be kind to yourself. Trust yourself to take care of you.)
• Talk to someone you trust. It can be a friend or a professional. It may take patience and persistence to find the right one, but experts are the experts who can give you the tools to succeed. (Professional treatment is not the only option. Help can take many forms. Keep looking for what works for you.)

Peer Discussion Areas

• Online Forums: Discord and Slack groups are available for all different security sites. Many of them have dedicated mental health channels. If your community doesn’t have a mental health channel, try asking for one.
• Scheduled conversations with friends: Text, phone, or video, scheduling friend time is sometimes necessary in our daily routine.

Mental health is an important issue for everyone. Everyone struggles, you are not alone. By being aware of the symptoms and taking steps to prevent mental health problems, we all improve our mental health and well-being.

Finally, and most importantly, it is never too late. You can find healing after exhaustion. You can recover from an injury at work. Get in touch and ask for help.

Additional Help

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): nami.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): afsp.org
Mental Health Hackers: mentalhealthhackers.org/resources-and-links/
American Psychological Association Resources for Employers: workplacehealth.org
Mental Health First Aid: mentalhealthfirstaid.org
Cyber ​​Sober: soberincyber.org/about

If you find yourself or a loved one in crisis, you can call 988 for the National Suicide & Crisis Prevention Line. The Lifeline offers free and confidential 24/7 support for people who are suffering, as well as prevention resources for you and your loved ones.