400% Spike in Security Questionnaire Automation Interest Highlights Push to Ease Workload Strain

Vera, the AI-driven security questionnaire automation platform, is highlighting the sharp rise in demand for faster, less stressful compliance processes. Search interest in "security questionnaire automation" has grown 400% year-on-year and 25% in the last quarter alone, according to Google Trends data - a surge that reflects growing recognition of the burden security questionnaires place on organisations. This trend comes as UK workplaces continue to grapple with high stress levels, with over 776,000 workers reporting stress, depression, or anxiety linked to their jobs in 2023/24, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

Manual Overload: The Hidden Toll of Security Questionnaires

Security and compliance teams across the UK are dedicating significant time each week to assessing vendor risk, with a large share of that effort spent on repetitive questionnaire tasks. The Cloud Security Alliance reports that these processes can consume hours of skilled time, often under intense deadlines. For many organisations, completing questionnaires is not just slow - it's disruptive, pulling staff away from core responsibilities.

The shift to automation is changing this picture. Studies show that automated solutions can complete security questionnaires up to five times faster than manual methods, saving organisations significant time and freeing staff for higher-value work.

"We've seen organisations cut completion times by as much as 90%," says Manuel Martinez Chamorro, Co-founder of Vera. "When what once took nearly a week can now be completed in less than a day, it transforms how teams allocate their time and energy."

Time Saved = Stress Saved: The Case for Workplace Well-being

The efficiency gains of automation come with another important benefit: reduced strain on employees. In Great Britain, 1.7 million workers reported work-related ill health in 2023/24, with 776,000 cases linked to stress, depression, or anxiety, according to the Health and Safety Executive. These issues contributed to a staggering 33.7 million lost working days over the year, eroding both productivity and morale.

Workplace surveys also show the UK ranks among the most stressed in Europe, with three-fifths of employees facing constant deadlines, two-fifths working at high speed, and only a third having control over their workload. Against this backdrop, removing hours of repetitive, deadline-driven tasks can have a meaningful impact on mental well-being. By reducing the need for late nights and weekend work, automation helps to restore work-life balance while enabling staff to focus on more rewarding projects.

"We designed Vera not just to speed up workflows, but to help protect employees' well-being," Manuel said. "Transforming hours of repetitive work into a process completed in under 24 hours isn't only about efficiency - it's about giving people their time, focus, and peace of mind back."

Business Edge: Closing Deals Faster & Protecting Productivity

Manual security questionnaires often act as bottlenecks in vendor onboarding, delaying projects and slowing the pace of sales cycles. Each day spent chasing answers or verifying details can mean lost momentum, missed opportunities, and frustrated stakeholders. By streamlining these processes, automation removes a significant obstacle to business growth.

Across the industry, more organisations are recognising that reducing the manual workload not only accelerates response times but also improves agility, increases deal velocity, and minimises the risk of errors that can derail a contract at the final stage. Faster, more accurate responses build trust with potential clients and keep negotiations moving forward.

"Automation isn't just for efficiency - it's a competitive advantage," Manuel added. "With Vera, companies can close deals faster, avoid burnout, and scale securely."

From Burnout to Balanced Workflows

Security questionnaires have long been seen as a necessary but draining part of doing business - essential for risk management, but often a source of delays and staff burnout. Automation offers a way to keep the process thorough while reducing the repetitive burden on teams. By speeding up completion times, organisations can minimise the disruption to day-to-day operations, ease deadline pressures, and create space for employees to focus on higher-value work.