The psychological impact of a cyberattack on you and your colleagues
Imagine this: you walk into the office tomorrow and find out that a customer service colleague accidentally clicked on a phishing email. Not only that, he also handed over his login details, thinking he was signing into the company’s online workplace. Within no time, his computer is unusable and the online environment is blocked.
When your organisation becomes the victim of a cyberattack, as a security officer you’re busy limiting the damage (while just barely resisting the urge to pull your hair out). You’re trying to protect sensitive information, reduce financial risks, and investigate the incident. But in all the chaos, it’s easy to overlook the deeper impact of a cyber incident, on yourself and your colleagues. In this blog, we shed light on those hidden consequences.
Today, cyberattacks can be recognized as a form of psychosocial stress. These are stressful situations employees can experience at work, such as bullying, discrimination, or high work pressure. Sometimes the impact of such scenarios can be so severe that employees require professional support.
Dennie Spreeuwenberg, CEO of Awaretrain, explains: “It’s every organisation’s nightmare to fall victim to a cyber incident. But we shouldn’t forget that it can be just as much of a nightmare for employees. While every effort is made to restore business operations, it’s equally important to be aware of the psychological impact on staff.”
Colleagues are often bystanders during a cyber incident. They see the panic, frustration, and concern within the organisation, but don’t know exactly what’s going on or what it means for them personally. This uncertainty can cause restlessness in the workplace.
There are countless ways in which a cyber incident can affect employees. Here are a few realistic scenarios:
Take ransomware, for example: a method where cybercriminals take over entire systems and demand ransom. When employees lose access to systems or computers, they can’t perform their tasks. Projects and production stall, workloads pile up, and stress levels rise.
A cyber incident can also result in employee data being stolen and leaked. This undermines trust and creates feelings of insecurity. Last year, the U.S. branch of Ahold Delhaize was hit by a ransomware attack. Employee data from the US and Europe was also stolen, including names, parts of bank account numbers, and salary details. According to reports, staff were deeply worried about this leaked information. Understandably so, as such data breaches can have serious personal consequences.
Employees will inevitably ask: who is responsible for this? The answer may point outward: “the IT department is incompetent” or inward: this is my fault”. That last thought can weigh heavily on the unlucky employee who clicked a phishing link or leaked data. They may become convinced their actions directly caused the incident.
IT and security professionals also face a huge psychological burden. For many, a cyber incident feels like a worst-case scenario. As a professional, you want to be “in control,” but when your organisation is attacked, you’re suddenly powerless.
During an incident, IT and security teams work around the clock to analyse the situation, resolve the issue, and safeguard the organisation. All eyes are on them, expecting a quick return to normal. If the press catches wind of the incident, these teams also face public scrutiny. Such pressure can dent self-confidence and drive stress levels even higher.
Research shows that IT and security teams almost always suffer direct consequences after a ransomware incident:
Often, the conclusion is that the incident resulted from failing systems, lack of knowledge, or a moment of carelessness. In hindsight, many shortcomings could have been avoided or mitigated. Both before and during the incident, IT teams may feel they have fallen short. The fear of losing one’s job is unfortunately well-founded: a quarter of organisations replace leadership after a cyber incident. This fear adds pressure, and if it becomes reality, it can have severe consequences for someone’s career and personal life.
Recognize that anyone can become a victim
This mindset helps reduce guilt. Anyone can be targeted: from the CEO to the receptionist. Thanks to technological advances, cybercriminals are increasingly precise, making successful attacks more likely.
Communicate empathetically and transparently
Transparent, honest communication is key. Acknowledge stress and uncertainty, and provide space for questions and support. Setting up a clear point of contact for concerns helps employees feel heard.
Invest in training and awareness
Increasing knowledge of information security helps employees feel capable and confident. With regular security awareness training, staff recognize risks more quickly and know how to respond. Integrating training into daily routines keeps awareness alive and employees alert.
Promote a reporting culture, not a blame culture
Encourage staff to report suspicious activity immediately. Avoid harsh reactions when mistakes happen, such as clicking a phishing link. Punitive responses foster fear and discourage future reporting. A neutral, supportive approach builds trust and creates a culture of openness.
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