Survey Reveals AI Adoption Fails to Alleviate Cybersecurity Burnout

The survey conducted by Sapio Research for Tines involved 1,813 IT and cybersecurity professionals. It revealed that even with the rise of AI, teams are still dedicating an average of 44% of their time to manual or repetitive tasks. In 2025, a striking 81% of respondents noted an increase in their workloads, with 76% indicating they are experiencing burnout, largely attributed to heavy workloads.

Interestingly, while only 26% of respondents linked their burnout to repetitive tasks, 60% reported spending at least 40% of their time on tasks that could be automated. The survey also identified several barriers to automation, including security or compliance concerns (35%), budget or resource constraints (32%), and integration gaps between tools (31%).

Despite these challenges, the benefits of automation are clear, with 48% of respondents citing higher productivity and 41% noting faster response times. Nearly all respondents (99%) reported that AI is embedded in their security operations, particularly in areas like threat intelligence and detection (61%) and identity and access monitoring (56%).

While 87% of respondents noted increased attention to cybersecurity from their boards, only 43% view the cybersecurity function as a strategic enabler. This disconnect highlights the ongoing struggle to align security initiatives with broader business objectives.

Implications for Cybersecurity Teams

The findings suggest that while AI has the potential to enhance cybersecurity operations, it has not yet alleviated the pressures faced by teams. As adversaries also adopt AI for more sophisticated attacks, the demand for rapid threat mitigation increases. Organizations must recognize the importance of investing in automation and addressing the skills gap to improve their security posture.

Cybersecurity professionals should be aware of the risks associated with legacy systems and the need for better integration of tools to maximize the benefits of AI. As the landscape evolves, ongoing training and reskilling will be crucial for adapting to new AI-related roles.

• AI and Automation: The survey indicates that while AI is present in security operations, manual tasks still dominate.
• Burnout Factors: Heavy workloads are the primary cause of burnout among cybersecurity professionals.
• Automation Barriers: Compliance concerns and budget constraints hinder the adoption of automation.
• Productivity Gains: Automation offers significant benefits, including higher productivity and faster response times.
• Strategic Alignment: There is a gap between cybersecurity initiatives and broader business objectives.