The Impact of Alert Fatigue (And How to Avoid It)

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Cybersecurity professionals are exposed to a high number of alerts, some of which pose real threats and others which are considered false alerts. The way these IT personnel react to these alerts can have an effect on the business they work for and can even cause alert fatigue. Alert fatigue affects various industries and is an example of how the human element in cybersecurity can cause problems. By working with a reputable IT company, you can help your business to avoid alert fatigue.

What is alert fatigue?

In certain fields, such as medicine, or IT, professionals receive such a high number of alerts that it can be overwhelming. Alert fatigue occurs when these professionals become desensitized to alerts and stop taking them seriously. For example, in a medical situation this could cause doctors to ignore alerts that impact on a patient’s health, and in IT certain threats to cybersecurity can go unnoticed. Alerts happen for a reason and are part of a system in place to protect your company’s data, staff, and systems.

How does alert fatigue impact individuals and businesses?

In a recent survey, 99% of IT leaders claim that alert fatigue could cause problems for cybersecurity. When IT professionals become unable to cope with the high number of alerts they recieve, they are less able to detect threats that could lead to security breaches. If an individual’s data is compromised this could lead to them falling victim to theft or fraud. If a business experiences a data breach this could result in detrimental downtime. This would also lead to a significant loss of profits and would negatively impact their reputation.

How can you avoid alert fatigue?

Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid alert fatigue. Many businesses are now using automated solutions to differentiate between false alerts and serious threats. This helps to prevent alert fatigue in employees. Companies are also outsourcing cloud hosting and managed IT services for complete protection and monitoring of their systems. By outsourcing IT services, you can also manage alerts more effectively. 

How can a managed IT service provider help?

A managed IT service provider can help by ensuring the right security framework is in place and that your business is compliant with data protection laws and regulations. They will carry out the necessary steps to detect and identify risks, and provide a suitable solution. When you work with an experienced New York IT company, you’ll also get access to advanced tools and resources, and experienced professionals will manage all alerts and possible threats to cybersecurity. 

There has been a rise in cyber attacks, and no business is too small to be affected. It’s important to work with an IT company that has experience in dealing with the various types of cyber attack and how to prevent them. It’s also the best way to avoid alert fatigue.