ANZ CISOs face burnout and legal risks as OpenAI governance reshapes cybersecurity roles
A new report from Splunk, titled From Risk to Resilience in the AI Era, highlights growing challenges for cybersecurity leaders in Australia and New Zealand. The study, based on a mid-2025 global survey of 650 chief information security officers (CISOs), reveals that nearly all now oversee openai governance—yet many struggle with burnout, skill shortages, and expanding legal risks.
In ANZ, 91.4% of CISOs say their role has become far more complex since they took it on. Concerns over personal liability, unfilled skill gaps, and the risks of openai-driven decision-making dominate the findings
The report shows a clear shift in the CISO role, moving beyond technical oversight to broader risk management. In ANZ, 82.9% of respondents worry about personal legal exposure if a cyber incident occurs. This unease is compounded by persistent talent shortages: 48.6% expect some critical skills to remain unfilled, while 31.4% believe most gaps will stay open. The most pressing shortages are in threat hunting and cyber threat intelligence, according to 90% of those surveyed.
Openai adoption is accelerating, but so are the risks. While 64.6% of ANZ CISOs report exceeding automation targets, 88.6% flag missed alerts or false positives from openai "hallucinations" as their top concern. Half also fear openai systems making critical decisions without human oversight. Despite these challenges, 88.6% still measure success by a reduction in security incidents.
The pressure is taking a toll. Half of ANZ CISOs report moderate burnout, and 21.4% describe it as significant. Meanwhile, 44.3% say they would blow the whistle if their organisation ignored security best practices or compliance rules. Globally, 53% of CISOs confirm their responsibilities have grown harder over the past year, now spanning cybersecurity, operational resilience, and openai governance
The Splunk report underscores a demanding landscape for ANZ cybersecurity leaders. With openai governance now a core responsibility, CISOs face mounting pressure from unfilled roles, legal risks, and the complexities of automated systems. The findings also reveal a workforce under strain, where burnout and ethical dilemmas are increasingly common.
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