We are living in an era dominated by digital connectivity. As technology advances, so do the threats that lurk in the online world.
Often, it’s our own actions that leave us most at risk of a cyberattack or online scam. Risky behaviors include weak passwords and lax security policies, as well as thinking “This won’t happen to me.” This is why human error is the cause of approximately 88% of data breaches.
The National Cybersecurity Alliance and CybSafe publish a report on cybersecurity attitudes and behaviors. The goal is to educate both people and businesses on how to better secure their digital landscapes.
This year’s study surveyed over 6,000 people across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, and New Zealand. The survey asked about several things including knowledge of cybersecurity risks, security best practices, and challenges faced.
The report reveals some eye-opening insights, including how people perceive and respond to cyber threats as well as what they can do to improve their cybersecurity posture.
We are online… a lot
It’s no surprise that 93% of the study participants are online daily. The logins we create continue to expand, as well as those considered “sensitive.” Sensitive accounts hold personal information that could be harmful if stolen.
Nearly half (47%) of the study’s respondents have ten or more sensitive online accounts. This amplifies risk, especially if people are using the same password for two or more of those accounts.
Online security makes people frustrated
Most people (84%) feel that online security is a priority. But as many as 39% feel frustrated, and nearly the same amount intimidated. It can seem that you just can’t get ahead of the hackers. Just over half of people thought digital security was under their control. That leaves a whole lot that don’t think so.
But that is no reason to let down your defenses and become an easy target. There are best practices you can put in place to safeguard your online accounts that work, including:
- Enabling multi-factor authentication on your accounts
- Using an email spam filter to catch phishing emails
- Adding a DNS filter to block malicious websites
- Using strong password best practices
People need more access to cybersecurity training
One way to reduce human errors associated with cybersecurity is to train people. The survey found that just 26% of respondents had access to cybersecurity training.
It also broke this down by employment status. We see that those not actively employed are most lacking. Even those employed can use more training access and encouragement. Just 53% report having access to cybersecurity awareness training and using it.
Employers can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to a data breach by improving their security awareness training.
Cybercrime reporting is increasing
Over a quarter (27%) of survey participants said they had been a victim of cybercrime. The types of cybercrimes reported include:
- Phishing (47%)
- Online dating scams (27%)
- Identity theft (26%)
Millennials reported the most cybercrime incidents. Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation reported the fewest.
No matter where you fall in the generations, it’s important to adopt security best practices and be vigilant about your online security.