Cybersecurity has always been a high-stakes job. It’s also a high-speed one. Identity attacks are rising. AI is shifting the threat surface. And the demands placed on security leaders are more intense than ever before.
So how are security professionals holding up under the weight of it all?
According to ConductorOne’s 2025 Future of Identity Security Report, the pressure is undeniable, but so is the resilience. While more than one in four security leaders report experiencing high or very high stress on a regular basis, the data shows that most aren’t cracking under the pressure. They’re adapting. They’re recalibrating. And they’re staying focused on the mission.
Let’s unpack what the report reveals about the state of stress, pressure, and wellbeing in today’s security workforce and why it matters for the future of identity security.
Stress is widespread and closely tied to risk exposure
Overall, about half of respondents described their stress levels as “moderate,” meaning the role brings regular tension that sometimes affects their mood or productivity. But 27% said they experience “high” or “very high” levels of stress on a regular basis—an intensity that goes beyond normal job pressure.
What’s driving it? The top stressor cited by respondents was clear: the fear of cyberattacks and data breaches. That fear isn’t abstract. It’s backed by the reality that 82% of organizations surveyed experienced an identity-based breach or attack in the past year.
Unsurprisingly, respondents who experienced multiple identity compromises were more likely to report higher stress levels. The more exposure a team has to real-world incidents, the greater the day-to-day tension becomes—especially as attack frequency and complexity continue to climb.
The top pressure: Stop every breach, every time
For the second year in a row, ConductorOne asked security leaders about the biggest pressure they face in their roles. In 2024, the leading answer was the pace of technological change. This year, it was something even more fundamental: preventing every threat and ensuring zero breaches.
That’s a nearly impossible mandate—but one that many security teams feel expected to fulfill.
Other common pressures included:
- Keeping up with new attack vectors
- Managing security with reduced budgets or headcount
- Justifying security investments to non-technical stakeholders
One surprising insight? Being the scapegoat after a breach ranked as one of the lowest concerns. This signals a noteworthy cultural shift. Security leaders aren’t spending their time worrying about blame, they’re focused on prevention. The accountability is real, but the mindset is forward-looking.
Operating under pressure, not retreating from it
While the findings reflect a clear stress burden, they also reveal a critical strength of today’s security workforce: resilience. Even amid rising threats, AI disruption, and budget constraints, security leaders aren’t slowing down. They’re staying engaged. They’re responding to new challenges with intention.
That mentality is shaping the way teams approach everything from AI adoption to access governance. Rather than resist change, security leaders are embracing it—often with limited resources and relentless expectations. It’s a hard job, but for many, it’s also a purpose-driven one.
Wellbeing matters, but it’s often sidelined
Of course, resilience doesn’t mean invincibility. The report also touches on how security professionals are taking care of themselves—or, in some cases, not. Respondents with high stress levels were less likely to report engaging in regular self-care practices like:
- Physical exercise
- Quality sleep
- Spending time with friends or family
This inverse relationship suggests a tough cycle: the more intense the job becomes, the harder it is to make space for the very habits that can help manage stress. And in a field where burnout is common and recovery is hard-won, that’s a risk organizations can’t afford to ignore.
Supporting the mental health of security teams isn’t just good practice—it’s mission-critical. These are the people defending your systems, managing your risk, and making judgment calls under pressure. If they’re running on fumes, the whole engine suffers.
The stress is real—but so is the resolve
Security teams are under more pressure than ever—and they’re meeting the moment with grit, urgency, and adaptability. They know the threats are intensifying. They know the margin for error is shrinking. And they’re still moving forward.
The 2025 Future of Identity Security Report doesn’t sugarcoat the stress levels across the industry. But it also doesn’t paint a picture of burnout and breakdown. Instead, it reveals something more powerful: a community of leaders who understand what’s at stake, and who are willing to rise to the challenge.
If there’s one takeaway from this section of the report, it’s this: take care of your security teams. Support them, resource them, and recognize the weight they carry. Because in today’s identity-driven landscape, the pressure isn’t going anywhere. But with the right backing, neither are they.
