Cybermindz Launches Global Council to Boost Cyber Resilience

In a significant move to address the escalating mental health crisis within the cybersecurity sector, the nonprofit Cybermindz has launched its Global CISO Advisory Council. This initiative, unveiled on World Mental Health Day, unites internationally recognized cyber leaders dedicated to combating stress and burnout among professionals who safeguard our digital infrastructure. The council aims to transform mental resilience from a peripheral wellness concern into a central component of operational security strategy.

Pioneering research by Cybermindz reveals that cybersecurity personnel are experiencing burnout at rates surpassing even those of frontline healthcare workers. This alarming trend has catalyzed a global shift in perspective, recognizing that the psychological well-being of cyber defenders is not just a personal issue but a critical factor in national and organizational security. The relentless, around-the-clock nature of cyber threats places immense strain on these individuals, whose successes often go unnoticed while the consequences of any single lapse can be catastrophic.

Peter Coroneos, founder of Cybermindz and a veteran of the industry, emphasized the unique pressures faced by cyber professionals. He noted that these defenders operate continuously at the limits of human endurance due to the non-stop cycle of digital threats. The invisible emotional and cognitive burdens they carry, compounded by factors like sleep deprivation and unmanaged stress, represent significant vulnerabilities to the systems society depends on daily. Supporting their mental fortitude is therefore essential for maintaining robust security postures.

The newly formed council will leverage decades of collective leadership experience to guide Cybermindz’s worldwide programs and research efforts. Their focus will be on extending proven mental resilience techniques and fostering a deeper understanding of how leadership culture, emotional intelligence, and peer support mechanisms can sustain high performance under extreme pressure. By validating open discussions about stress and advocating for proactive resilience initiatives, the council seeks to cultivate environments where cyber teams can thrive despite the demands of their roles.

Lisa Ackerman, a respected cyber leader and the Founding Chair of the Council, articulated the mission’s core principle: technical defenses are ultimately dependent on the people managing them. She stated that the council’s purpose is to drive cultural change, empowering leaders to address stress openly, champion necessary reforms, and implement programs that build teams capable of sustained excellence. On World Mental Health Day, the message is clear: protecting critical information systems starts with safeguarding the mental health of those who defend them.

Cybermindz, which originated in Australia in 2022, has expanded its operations into the United States, United Kingdom, and France. The organization’s signature programs, BaseCamp™, RapidReset™, SteadyShields™, and CISOSupport™, are built on the iRest® Protocol. This clinically validated neural training method, widely used in military settings for various clinical and non-clinical conditions, provides a foundation for helping professionals regain balance and resilience.

Dr. Richard Miller, the clinical psychologist and mental health pioneer who created the iRest® Protocol, expressed his profound inspiration at seeing the program adapted for cybersecurity. He described it as humbling to witness these tools assisting professionals who bear tremendous responsibility for our digital world, helping them rediscover clarity and stability. Supporting the mental well-being of those who protect essential systems is, he affirmed, an act of collective humanity that benefits everyone.

Reiterating the organization’s foundational mission, Mr. Coroneos emphasized that by alleviating the suffering of cyber defenders, we ultimately strengthen organizational and societal resilience. He acknowledged the scale of this calling but affirmed its necessity, given the high costs associated with losing vital defenders to preventable conditions like burnout.

Cybermindz is now calling upon CISOs, cyber leaders, and partner organizations globally to join this movement and integrate human-factor resilience into their security operations. Those interested in beginning the journey toward securing their cyber teams can find further information and resources through the organization’s website.

(Source: ITWire Australia)