A new report from EY Ireland has revealed a stark contradiction in the corporate cybersecurity landscape: while Irish organisations are aggressively bolstering their technical defences, they are simultaneously failing to invest in the human expertise and wellbeing required to make those defences effective.
The inaugural EY Ireland Cyber Leaders Index, published today, found that 83% of Irish organisations have enhanced their cybersecurity measures over the past six months. However, this push for technical maturity is being undermined by a significant struggle to fund essential elements like staff training and retention.
According to the survey, a overwhelming 72% of cyber leaders report difficulty securing funding for crucial cybersecurity awareness training for employees. Concurrently, 43% are grappling with challenges in hiring and retaining qualified cybersecurity staff, creating a dangerous skills gap at a time of elevated threat levels.
AI, Supply Chain, and the Burnout Crisis
The report also outlines the top strategic priorities for the year ahead, with nearly half (48%) of cyber leaders ranking AI and data security as key concerns. Furthermore, 68% identified protecting against third-party and supply chain threats as a serious challenge, indicating a recognition of the complex, interconnected nature of modern cyber risks.
Perhaps the most alarming finding, however, is the emergence of burnout as a hidden but systemic risk to organisational security. The relentless pressure on cybersecurity teams is creating a crisis of wellbeing that has direct security implications.
The Index found that 37% of cyber leaders are concerned that key threats are being overlooked due to overwhelmed teams. This is compounded by significant personal tolls, with one in four (26%) leaders reporting negative mental health impacts from their roles, and one in five (19%) stating that these pressures are negatively affecting their personal lives.
The EY Ireland Cyber Leaders Index calls for a strategic shift, urging businesses to bridge the investment gap by prioritising funding for training, talent retention, and proactive wellbeing support for cybersecurity teams to ensure Ireland’s corporate defences are truly resilient.
To download the EY Ireland Cyber Leaders Index 2025, click here.
