Why CISOs Burn Out: Root Causes and Red Flags
A Field Report by Green Shoe Consulting
The role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) was once purely technical. Today, it's a high-stakes, high-visibility, and high-pressure leadership position—one that often comes with unrealistic expectations, unclear authority, and 24/7 accountability. It’s no wonder that many CISOs are quietly, and chronically, burning out.
At Green Shoe Consulting, we’ve been working closely with CISOs and cybersecurity leaders across the country to understand the unique stressors they face—and to develop science-backed solutions to alleviate and prevent burnout before it leads to serious personal and organizational consequences.
As we finalize our 2025 State of Stress in Cybersecurity report, here’s what we already know:
Burnout among CISOs isn’t rare. It’s systemic.
And unless it’s addressed both individually and organizationally, it will get worse.
What Is Burnout, Really?
Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired or overwhelmed. According to the World Health Organization, it’s a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
Key characteristics include:
Exhaustion – Emotional and physical depletion
Cynicism – Mental distancing or negativity toward work
Inefficacy – Reduced performance and feelings of inadequacy
Red Flags in Cybersecurity Leadership
From our interviews and coaching work, we’ve observed several burnout signals that are especially common among CISOs:
1. Increased Isolation
“I can’t talk to my board, and my team looks to me for certainty I don’t always have.”
CISOs often feel stuck between technical teams and executive leadership—excluded from strategic decision-making, yet held accountable for enterprise risk.
2. Always-On Fatigue
CISOs live in a constant state of vigilance. The need to always be available, calm, and in control is an emotional and cognitive tax that slowly builds.
3. Diminished Decision Quality
Under chronic stress, CISOs report more reactive decisions, decreased clarity, and risk aversion—classic signs of cognitive overload.
4. Compromised Health and Relationships
Most CISOs don’t say burnout affected their performance first. They say it disrupted their sleep, strained their families, and made them feel like someone they didn’t recognize.
Why Burnout Hits CISOs So Hard
Through our research and direct work with security leaders, Green Shoe Consulting has identified five organizational and psychological forces that drive burnout:
Root Cause & What It Looks Like
Chronic Ambiguity - Role expectations are unclear and always shifting. CISOs are not just the cybersecurity leader, they wear HR, Finance/budgeting, legal, compliance and other hats.
Cognitive Overload - Constant decision-making, triage, and priority chaos
Emotional Labor - Suppressing fear (like the fear of being blamed for a breach), frustration, and self-doubt
Lack of Psychological Safety - No safe space to be honest or vulnerable
Values Misalignment - Wanting to protect people but stuck defending posture
Early Insights from Our 2025 Research Study
As part of Green Shoe’s upcoming 2025 State of Stress in Cybersecurity report, we’ve conducted in-depth interviews with over 40 CISOs across industries. Here's what we're already seeing:
80% of CISOs say their current stress levels are unsustainable
Nearly half have experienced clinical burnout symptoms in the last year
Many feel “trapped” in roles they can’t leave due to money, reputation, or fear
Almost all say they want to talk about it—but don’t know where or how
The full report drops July 2025.
[Insert link to waitlist or newsletter sign-up.]
What Can Be Done?
Burnout is not a personal failure. It’s a systems-level malfunction. But recovery is possible—with the right support and structure.
Green Shoe Consulting provides:
Confidential 1:1 coaching for CISOs
Cybersecurity team resilience workshops and coaching
Organizational consulting to fix structural burnout risk factors
Annual Resilience Retainer programs for sustainable well-being, performance and crisis support
We help cybersecurity leaders think more clearly, lead more effectively, and live with more energy—without burning out.
Final Thought
Burnout is a signal, not a shame.
If you’re a CISO who feels like you’re hanging on by a thread, you’re not alone.
And you don’t have to stay silent.
We’re building a movement—rooted in science, care, and performance—that proves you can be brilliant and well.
👉 Start with a free Resilience Self-Check-In [https://forms.gle/odvEU5Zy6pv4wnSz7]
📅 Book a no-pressure discovery call with Steve Shelton
https://calendly.com/greenlightsteve/green-shoe-consulting