Security incidents are faster, louder, and more complex than ever. For smaller or high-pressure teams, “hero mode” once felt like the only way to keep up — but endurance is not a strategy. The real challenge for today’s leaders is building teams that can perform under pressure without burning out.

This session explores the leadership and cultural factors that keep responders healthy and effective during sustained crisis operations. Attendees will learn how to design fair rotations, manage cognitive load, build psychological safety, and communicate clearly under stress. We will also discuss how automation and AI continue to evolve these same challenges, helping reduce context switching, streamline reporting, and free people to focus on critical thinking rather than repetitive tasks.

SANS Leadership Summit 2026