Understanding the Hidden Threat of Burnout
In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, professionals — particularly those in SOC teams and cyber operations — can face relentless stress. Chronic fatigue, hypervigilance, and compassion fatigue are not just buzzwords — they’re realities that quietly undermine team performance, resilience, and well-being. Yet too often, organizations lack the tools to measure or address these pressures effectively.
A Practical Solution: The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory
At BSidesAugusta 2025, Patrick Kelley, Founder and CEO of Léargas Security and Critical Path Security, will introduce an adapted version of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) tailored for cybersecurity teams. This open-source framework isn’t theoretical—it’s a usable, validated tool designed specifically for analysts, incident responders, and blue teams working in Managed SOC environments.
What You’ll Gain from the Session
Attending this session provides practical value that organizations can act on immediately:
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Quantify Burnout
Learn how to measure fatigue, compassion fatigue (CPTD), and burnout within your cybersecurity team using a rigorously tested framework. -
Act Before It's Too Late
Identify burnout early so leaders can intervene proactively—mitigating turnover, preserving morale, and maintaining operational readiness. -
Grounded in Real-World Insights
The framework is built upon real-world data and observations from Managed SOC operations, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
Meet the Speaker: Patrick Kelley
With over 25 years in cybersecurity — spanning network forensics, ICS/OT security, and threat detection — Patrick Kelley brings deep expertise and no-nonsense insights. He’s the visionary behind Critical Path Security, guiding organizations in the development of AI-driven Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions.
Patrick is also a trusted voice in the security community:
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Special program trainer and keynote speaker for agencies such as NERC, CISA, CRISP, and E-ISAC
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Shared stages with experts from the FBI, CIA, and NSA
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Cybersecurity commentator featured by NBC News, Fortune, CNN, The Guardian, Bleeping Computer, and Krebs on Security
Beyond his professional work, Patrick is deeply committed to community service—most notably in child abuse prevention and support for emergency shelters, efforts he’s sustained for over two decades.
Event Details
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Title: Measuring Fatigue, CPTD, and Burnout in Cybersecurity with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory
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When: October 25, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
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Where: Track 3 – Room 2400
Why This Matters to Critical Path Security
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Innovative Leadership: This talk amplifies our commitment to not just detecting threats, but addressing the human factors that influence team effectiveness.
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Actionable Frameworks: Shareable, practical tools like the CBI empower both leadership and practitioners to act strategically on burnout.
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Thought Leadership: This positions Critical Path Security and Patrick Kelley at the forefront of a vital (and often overlooked) dimension of cybersecurity—team well-being.
Suggested Next Steps
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Promote the Session – Highlight this latest initiative to your network, emphasizing the blend of empathy and effectiveness in cybersecurity practice.
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Prepare Your Team – Consider attending with team leads or HR representatives to spark conversations about applying the CBI in your environment.
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Follow Up – After BSidesAugusta, consider hosting an internal workshop or roundtable to explore implementing the framework within your own teams.
References
[1] BSidesAugusta 2025 – Session: Measuring Fatigue, CPTD, and Burnout in Cybersecurity with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory – https://pretalx.com/bsidesaugusta-2025/talk/CFMEHL/
[2] Critical Path Security – https://www.criticalpathsecurity.com/
[3] Copenhagen Burnout Inventory – Kristensen TS, Borritz M, Villadsen E, Christensen KB. (2005). The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: A new tool for the assessment of burnout. Work & Stress, 19(3), 192–207.