Cybersecurity Burnout in the Philippines: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever

A new study has uncovered a pressing issue within Philippine organizations: cybersecurity burnout is soaring, with nearly nine in ten companies struggling to keep pace with escalating threats. According to Sophos’ “Future of Cybersecurity in Asia Pacific and Japan 2025” report, the lack of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) is one of the biggest drivers of this crisis.

Without dedicated cybersecurity leadership, IT teams are left overwhelmed by unclear strategies, constant alert overload, and limited resources. In many organizations, security responsibilities are handed to IT managers who may not have specialized training, or fragmented across third-party providers, creating dangerous gaps in protection. The result is a reactive “whack-a-mole” approach to threats that fuels stress and leaves businesses vulnerable.

Sophos’ findings reveal that less than 1% of organizations worldwide have a dedicated CISO, underscoring the massive leadership void. This absence doesn’t just lead to burnout it directly raises the risk of breaches and cyber incidents. Gavin Struthers, senior vice president of sales for Asia Pacific and Japan at Sophos, likened the situation to a pressure cooker, emphasizing that effective leadership is as critical as the technologies organizations deploy.

The good news is that businesses are starting to take cybersecurity more seriously. Sixty-six percent of Philippine organizations plan to increase cybersecurity spending within the next year. However, experts warn that technology alone isn’t enough governance and strategy are just as important. Investing in leadership, whether by hiring a CISO or adopting a virtual CISO (vCISO) model, provides the strategic oversight needed to reduce burnout and strengthen defenses.

This is where a trusted partner can make the difference. Directpath Global Technologies (DGT), a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), offers not only advanced solutions like Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), SOC 2 compliance, Vulnerability Risk Management as a Service (VRMaaS), and Web Application Firewall (WAF), but also governance and strategy support through our vCISO services. Backed by our advanced Artificial Intelligence Division, DGT helps organizations tailor their cybersecurity approach to both their risks and business priorities relieving pressure on internal teams while ensuring comprehensive protection.

Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue; it is a business imperative. Addressing burnout requires more than tools it requires leadership, strategy, and the right partnerships. For Philippine organizations aiming to protect their people, data, and future, now is the time to act. Source: Newsbytes PH