Always On, Always Alert: Occupational Stress, Burnout, and Coping Strategies Among IT and Cybersecurity Professionals in Bengaluru, India

Niranth D

Abstract: The rapid growth of the information technology (IT) sector and the increasing complexity of cybersecurity threats have intensified psychological demands on technology professionals. Continuous monitoring, high workloads, evolving threat landscapes, and expectations for uninterrupted system performance expose IT and cybersecurity professionals to elevated levels of occupational stress and burnout. Despite growing global concern regarding employee well-being in technology-intensive occupations, limited empirical research has examined these issues within the Indian context. The present study investigated occupational stress, burnout, and coping strategies among IT and cybersecurity professionals working in Bengaluru, India. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed using a sample of 120 professionals, comprising 70 IT professionals and 50 cybersecurity professionals. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), and Brief COPE Inventory. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, independent-samples t-tests, and multiple regression. The findings revealed moderate-to-high levels of occupational stress among participants, with cybersecurity professionals reporting significantly higher stress levels than their IT counterparts. Occupational stress demonstrated a positive relationship with burnout, while maladaptive coping strategies were associated with increased stress and burnout symptoms. Adaptive coping strategies showed a protective influence on psychological well-being, although their predictive effect was comparatively weaker. Qualitative findings highlighted workload pressure, on-call responsibilities, threat management demands, and insufficient recovery time as major contributors to occupational stress. The study contributes to occupational health psychology by extending the Job Demands?Resources model and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping to contemporary technology professions. Practical implications include the need for structured stress-management interventions, mental-health support systems, workload optimization, and sustainable on-call practices within technology organizations.

Keywords: Occupational Stress, Burnout, Coping Strategies, Cybersecurity Professionals, Information Technology Professionals, Occupational Health Psychology, Workplace Well-Being

How to Cite?: Niranth D, "Always On, Always Alert: Occupational Stress, Burnout, and Coping Strategies Among IT and Cybersecurity Professionals in Bengaluru, India", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1157-1162, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26817224851, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26817224851

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