The Application Security Podcast Magen Wu -- Hustle and Flow: Dealing With Burnout in Security
Mar 2, 2018
Magen Wu, an information security practitioner passionate about mental health, discusses the critical topic of burnout in the infosec field. She defines burnout as chronic stress leading to exhaustion and cynicism, sharing how company culture exacerbates these issues. Magen provides practical strategies like prioritizing sleep and setting phone boundaries to combat burnout. She also emphasizes the importance of non-work hobbies and recognizing signs of burnout in colleagues. Magen encourages openness in seeking help and normalizing breaks for better mental health.
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Early Security Origin Story
- Magen Wu discovered security at 13–14 after a virus knocked out a hospital network where her dad worked in IT.
- That early incident led her to DEF CON at 20 and a lifelong passion for infosec.
What Burnout Actually Is
- Burnout is chronic stress that causes exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy.
- Magen frames burnout as a psychological shift that makes small problems feel insurmountable.
Infosec Is Late To This Conversation
- Infosec has historically downplayed burnout and only recently began public conversations.
- Jack Daniel and a few others helped surface the issue at conferences and events.
