The Hidden Human Cost of Cyberattacks Beyond Financial Losses

In this opinion piece for Dagens Nyheter, Christian Schenholm from cybersecurity firm Integrity 360 argues that the true cost of IT attacks extends far beyond monetary damages. While public discourse often focuses on financial losses and data volumes, the severe psychological and emotional impact on employees is frequently overlooked. Staff members face intense pressure, working non-stop to resolve technical crises and manage upset customers, leading to burnout, insecurity, and increased resignation rates post-incident. The article highlights that human error remains a significant risk factor, necessitating regular staff training in cyber hygiene. Schenholm cites recent major incidents, including the 2025 attack on Miljödata which exposed sensitive information of over one million Swedes, and breaches affecting Swedish universities via the Canvas platform. These events illustrate how cyberattacks create long-lasting consequences, such as identity theft risks and physical danger for those with protected identities. Furthermore, attacks on third-party suppliers like Tietoevry demonstrate the broader societal ripple effects. The author concludes that rebuilding brand trust places additional emotional strain on workers, making cyber security a critical human resources and societal issue, not just a technical challenge.