IT pros say password sharing is top security lapse

SolarWinds has published survey findings on how IT professionals view the biggest mistakes and successes in their work. The study drew responses from 432 members of its global THWACK community.

Most respondents identified basic security lapses as the clearest offences. Nearly two-thirds, or 65%, said password sharing deserved an immediate red card, while 54% said employees falling for phishing attacks amounted to an own goal.

The research framed day-to-day IT work through comparisons with football and motor racing. Respondents linked routine pressure, rapid fixes and operational discipline to sport. Almost half, or 49%, said working in IT felt most like Formula 1 or racing.

Success was more often defined by resilience than individual recognition. Two-thirds, or 66%, said keeping the business online during an incident merited a victory lap, while 61% said completing a major migration deserved the same response.

The findings also suggest IT teams want more help with repetitive tasks. Almost two-thirds, or 64%, said greater automation would make their jobs easier over the next year.

Pressure points

Beyond the headline figures, the survey included personal accounts from IT workers about the demands of the job. They described patch-day mishaps, failed recoveries and unexpected technical problems, alongside moments when colleagues stepped in after difficult shifts.

Some respondents described celebrations after difficult incidents, including pizza parties and the offer of a beer from a teammate once the work was done. These details add colour to a role that often remains out of sight unless something goes wrong.

SolarWinds used the responses to draw a broader comparison between IT operations and competitive sport, particularly in teamwork and reaction times. It argued that both environments depend on preparation and the ability to recover quickly under pressure.

Chrystal Taylor, Tech Evangelist at SolarWinds, commented on the findings: "Although tech and sport might seem worlds apart, there are some surprisingly strong similarities. In both, success often comes down to preparation, teamwork and how quickly you can recover when something goes wrong. IT teams have a lot in common with pit crews. You need everyone working from the same information, knowing their role and able to act quickly when the pressure is on. The right visibility, tools and automation can give IT teams that same advantage, helping them spot problems earlier and respond faster when every second counts."

The results reflect familiar concerns for IT departments, where user behaviour remains a persistent risk and operational continuity is often treated as the main measure of success. In that sense, the survey suggests many IT professionals see their work less as a stage for individual flair and more as a collective effort to prevent disruption.

The methodology states that the findings were based on research fielded in August and drawn from 432 respondents in the SolarWinds THWACK community.