UK CISOs Avoid Patch Tuesday Over Stress and Workload

Nearly a quarter of UK cybersecurity leaders have deliberately taken time off to avoid the demands of Patch Tuesday, according to new data from Managed Detection and Response (MDR) specialist Socura.

The report, published in October 2026, found that 22% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), Chief Security Officers (CSOs), and heads of IT security in the UK have either called in sick or booked holidays to skip the monthly event when vendors like Microsoft and Adobe release crucial security updates.

The findings highlight growing stress and burnout within the industry, driven by an escalating volume of software patches and the continuous pressure of vulnerability management.

Rising Patch Volume Fuels Anxiety

Socura’s poll of 500 UK cybersecurity leaders revealed the significant impact of Patch Tuesday on their well-being and workload. While 41% reported working overtime and 37% worked late specifically to manage the patching cycle, a concerning 29% admitted to feeling “significant anxiety” the night before Patch Tuesday. The same percentage also noted increased irritability with colleagues or family during that week.

Andrew Kays, CEO of Socura, emphasised the severity of the situation. “You expect your accountant to be available for your tax return deadline, and your lawyer for your court date,” Kays stated. “It speaks volumes about the unhealthy levels of stress and burnout in our industry that cybersecurity leaders would deliberately avoid the office during their most consequential day of work.”

The workload has been compounded by artificial intelligence (AI)-powered vulnerability research, which aids vendors in discovering and reporting software flaws at an unprecedented rate. Microsoft, for instance, fixed a record 974 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) in its September 2026 Patch Tuesday release. This figure significantly surpassed the previous record of 570 just two months prior and compares to a total of 1,130 vulnerabilities published in the entire year of 2025.

Broader Context of CISO Burnout

The Socura report aligns with other recent studies on CISO stress levels. A March 2026 report by Seemplicity indicated that 45% of cybersecurity leaders work an additional 11 or more hours per week, equivalent to an extra workday. Furthermore, 20% reported working over 16 extra hours weekly. Another two-fifths (43%) stated they struggled to take time off without facing immense stress upon their return.

Kays stressed the need for better support for security professionals. “It’s vital that security teams are properly resourced on Patch Tuesday, and that cybersecurity workers are properly supported emotionally, technically, and financially,” he said. “It’s a tough job, and most people do it because they love it. That shouldn’t be forgotten or exploited.”

AI: Both a Challenge and a Potential Solution

While AI contributes to the rapid discovery of vulnerabilities, increasing the patching burden, the technology also offers potential relief for overwhelmed security teams. Two-fifths (40%) of respondents in Socura’s survey believed that AI could automate mundane tasks, allowing teams to focus on more strategic initiatives. A similar percentage (37%) reported that AI helps them better protect their core corporate infrastructure against active threats.

Organisations are urged to acknowledge the human toll of managing complex cybersecurity environments and implement strategies for better resource allocation, mental health support, and the strategic adoption of automation tools to alleviate the pressure on their cybersecurity leadership.