Security Fatigue Is Real—Here’s How to Build a Compliance Culture That Works (Without Burning Out Your Team)

Security and compliance used to be the quiet part of the business. Now? They’re front and center.

Between evolving regulations, increasingly sophisticated threats, and the rise of AI tools and hybrid work, organizations are under more pressure than ever to stay secure and compliant. But there’s a hidden cost to all that vigilance: security fatigue.

More and more teams are overwhelmed—not just by the volume of requirements, but by the way those requirements are enforced. Constant reminders, roadblocks to productivity, manual workarounds, unclear policies…it all adds up.

So how do you build a compliance culture that actually works—without burning out your people or slowing down your business?

Security fatigue is more common than you think

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines security fatigue as a “weariness or reluctance to deal with computer security.” And it's not just theoretical.

According to Navex Global’s 2023 Definitive Risk & Compliance Benchmark Report, 83% of risk and compliance professionals say that maintaining compliance with laws, policies, and regulations is absolutely essential in their decision-making. Compliance isn’t going away—and it shouldn’t. But the traditional approach of enforcing checklists and rules from the top down isn’t sustainable anymore. Employees are frustrated. Leaders are stretched. And the risk of human error is only increasing.

The compliance paradox: secure vs. simple

We’ve hit a tipping point. The more controls we put in place, the more likely people are to find workarounds.

Shadow IT is a perfect example. Cisco’s 2024 Data Privacy Benchmark Study revealed that 75% of employees admit to using unauthorized tools like ChatGPT, file-sharing platforms, or unsanctioned eSignature software. Not because they’re trying to cut corners, but because they’re trying to get things done—faster.

That creates a compliance contradiction: The systems meant to protect your business can actually introduce new vulnerabilities if they’re too hard to use.

So what’s the answer?

The future of compliance isn’t just about more rules. It’s about smart systems, human-centered design, and automation.

1. Build compliance into the flow of work

Instead of bolting security measures on top of existing workflows, bake them in from the start. Choose tools that are intuitive, automated, and built to scale. When compliance is invisible to the user—but visible to auditors—you’ve hit the sweet spot.

2. Automate wherever possible

Manual document tracking. Chasing down signatures. Digging through email threads to find the final version of a contract. These are all compliance nightmares—and huge time wasters. Automating these tasks reduces risk and gives teams valuable time back.

3. Choose solutions your team actually wants to use

The best compliance tools are the ones your team doesn’t mind using. That’s why user experience matters just as much as security features. When tools are intuitive and flexible, adoption follows—and so does compliance.

4. Lead with trust, not fear

Culture matters. Instead of relying on scare tactics or rigid enforcement, build a culture of shared responsibility. That starts with communicating the “why,” welcoming feedback, and making compliance feel like a team effort—not a trap.

The payoff: faster work, lower risk

When done right, compliance doesn’t just protect your business—it unlocks it. It builds trust, improves efficiency, and lets your teams work with more confidence and less friction.

Want to reduce compliance fatigue?

That’s a big part of what we focus on at Nitro. Our digital document solutions help organizations meet security and compliance standards with less manual effort—through features like eSignatures, audit trails, and access controls built into the workflow. No extra tools, no extra hassle.

Let’s make compliance a little easier—and a lot more effective. Learn how Nitro supports secure document workflows.