I feel like cybersecurity is a sham at a lot of companies. They’ll say they care but in reality don’t. Would anyone be able to share their personal experience?

The Disheartening Reality of Cybersecurity in the Corporate World

In today’s technology-driven landscape, one might expect that organizations prioritize cybersecurity as a critical component of their operations. However, a troubling sentiment is emerging among IT professionals: many companies appear to place greater emphasis on the appearance of security rather than on its effectiveness.

As someone who has spent nearly a decade working in the IT sector across various organizations—none of which fall under the Fortune 500 category—I have witnessed firsthand the discrepancies between declared values and actual practices regarding cybersecurity. Unfortunately, my current situation serves as a prime example of this phenomenon.

Despite holding a role that is ostensibly centered on cybersecurity, I often feel like my position is more about fulfilling insurance requirements than genuinely addressing security concerns. My direct report is an IT director with limited experience in traditional security practices, yet they hold the power to make significant decisions related to our cybersecurity strategy.

This dynamic raises questions about the sincerity of many companies’ commitment to safeguarding their systems. The workload in my current role is minimal, and my compensation seems disproportionate to the tasks at hand. While I appreciate the work-from-home flexibility that allows me to manage household responsibilities, I find myself longing for a more proactive and impactful approach to enhancing our organization’s security posture.

Despite my attempts to take on additional responsibilities to bolster our security efforts, I’ve encountered resistance. It’s a perplexing situation—while I should be grateful for the easygoing nature of my work life, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s a fundamental issue at play.

As I reflect on these experiences, I am eager to hear from others in the field. What has your experience been like in terms of organizational commitment to cybersecurity? Do you find similar patterns in your workplaces? The safety of our digital environments should never be treated as a checkbox exercise, and sharing these experiences might shed light on a troubling trend in how businesses approach this crucial issue.