The causes and risks of cybersecurity fatigue present challenges for small businesses. In this quick read, we look at reasons why employees stop caring about cyber security and give you tips to help reduce the risk for your team and your business.
Causes and Attitudes
The short answer is simply overload. Fluctuating security measures along with constant warnings about endless threats can feel overwhelming.
Be on the lookout for these attitudes at your company:
Too Many Rules
Being forced to regularly change passwords, take “boring” cybersecurity training, or use other login tools like multi-factor authentication can feel frustrating.
Slows Me Down
Employees may take shortcuts if security is perceived as an obstacle to getting work done. These can include using the same easy password everywhere, emailing documents to personal accounts, or ignoring physical security risks like writing passwords on sticky notes.
“Not My Problem”
Some employees still believe the responsibility for cybersecurity rests solely with the IT department. Or they think the company is “too small” to be hacked. In fact, every company has information that’s valuable to a hacker, from payroll to customer data. And careless employees are the easiest way for cybercriminals to get in.
Why bother?
From the most cynical perspective, since it seems like eventually everyone’s data is going to be “out there” anyway, why bother?
Not surprisingly, these attitudes can lead to risky computing behavior like using public wi-fi to bypass VPN security, sharing passwords, or emailing company information to a home computer.
Potential Business Risks
The most dangerous potential risk of cybersecurity fatigue is a breach that can be directly traced back to an error made by someone in your company. If an employee unknowingly “let someone in”, that could invalidate your cyber liability insurance claim.
In addition, any breach risks significant financial losses, legal disputes, and reputational damage.
Importance of a Positive Cybersecurity Culture
In addition to tactics (like not clicking on a strange email), users also need to have the frame of mind to take smart actions and avoid cybersecurity fatigue on their own terms. In other words, they need to see the value of security and want to actively participate.
Consider these three questions for your organization:
Does your company have a positive cybersecurity culture?
A positive culture drives the values that determine the importance of cybersecurity awareness, and everyone has a role in its success. Importantly, this includes creating an environment for learning, not blaming, so everyone is comfortable reporting security concerns and asking questions.
Does everyone believe they have responsibility for cybersecurity?
Encourage everyone to care about their responsibility to help protect the organization. Discourage multitasking, since being distracted makes users particularly vulnerable to phishing attacks.
Do you offer interesting cybersecurity training ?
The risk landscape changes daily, and cybersecurity training keeps everyone sharp. A long annual training can be perceived as boring. Consider short, engaging video trainings on current topics once a month instead.
Tips to Reduce Cybersecurity Fatigue Risks
Consider Tech Tools
From a technical standpoint, consider tools that make security easier. One example is a password manager. Employees only need to remember one password for access, and the password manager automatically injects the unique and complex username and password at sign-in for each application. No more hesitating to change a password or using sticky notes.
Encourage Double-Checking
If an employee gets an email with an unusual request from an executive, would they feel comfortable picking up the phone to confirm it? Encouraging this phone call could save your company money and embarrassment.
Avoid Blaming
Foster an environment where your team can be comfortable reporting a potential risk, including an errant click. The sooner you know, the sooner you can begin to mitigate the problem.
Explain the Risks
Many employees don’t realize that a serious breach could shut down the business or cost them their paycheck. Understanding what’s really at stake in a breach can help employees understand the importance of cybersecurity.
Acknowledge Fatigue
As you’re developing a culture that encourages everyone to take responsibility for cybersecurity, occasionally acknowledge that security can be tiring. It’s true.
Cybersecurity fatigue is real. Every new security layer can be perceived as another barrier to serving customers or taking care of employees. Or it can be viewed as one of the best ways to ensure the company’s work will continue.
How CRU Solutions Helps Your Team Avoid Cybersecurity Fatigue
CRU Solutions’ approach to cybersecurity includes layered technical tools, proven email security, and relevant staff training to help block threats. To learn more about how CRU Solutions can help keep your business safer, contact us.
By Janet Gehring
February 12, 2026