Employee burnout is a growing security risk in the workplace

Working at a desk all day can lower people’s focus regarding security threats.

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What you need to know

While work can cause exhaustion in any environment, the unique circumstances of the global pandemic can amplify employee burnout. According to a recent study by 1Password, burned-out employees are more likely to ignore security policies issued by companies, such as using different passwords across accounts.

The survey polled 2,500 full-time employees in the United States and Canada that spend most of their working hours at a computer.

A main takeaway from the study is that overworked employees are more likely to feel security policies “aren’t worth the effort.” Similarly, 12% of respondents that claimed to be fatigued use the same password or a small group of passwords across work accounts. In contrast, only 7% of polled participants that did not claim to be burned out acted the same way.

Below are the key findings of the study:

Thefull reportgoes into more depth regarding security practices and how they’re affected by burnout.

Using thebest password managersandbest password generatorsmay help alleviate some stress surrounding passwords in the workplace, though they won’t address the root cause of employee exhaustion.

It’s worth noting that this security report is provided by 1Password, which sells security subs.

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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.