Is Cybersecurity a Genuine Priority or Just a Box to Check?

In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity has become an essential component for organizations of all sizes. Yet, there seems to be a growing sentiment among IT professionals that, for many companies, cybersecurity policies are merely superficial—designed more to appease stakeholders than to create a robust security environment.

As someone with nearly a decade of experience in the IT field across various non-Fortune 500 companies, I’ve observed firsthand instances that raise questions about the authenticity of corporate commitments to security. In my current role, I often feel like my position serves more as a formal requirement for insurance obligations than a genuine effort to safeguard company assets. The person I report to, the IT director, lacks traditional security expertise, yet has the final say in all security-related decisions.

Despite being in a relatively light workload, where my compensation feels disproportionate to my responsibilities, I find myself wanting to contribute meaningfully. I’ve proposed several proactive initiatives to enhance our cybersecurity posture, even offering to take on additional tasks to make this happen. Unfortunately, my efforts have not sparked the interest I hoped they would.

While it might be tempting to simply enjoy the relaxed nature of my job, the disconnect between stated values and actions leaves me feeling uneasy. Are other professionals encountering similar challenges in their firms? I would love to hear your experiences and insights on this topic. Is the situation you’re facing a reflection of a deeper issue in the field of cybersecurity? Let’s share our stories and perhaps spark a discussion on how to bridge the gap between intention and action in our industry.