Eye-opening Insights from the 2023 Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report

The digital age we live in is characterized by widespread connectedness. Cybersecurity is too important to be understated. The hazards that exist in the internet environment are evolving along with technology.

Most of the time, our own behaviors put us most at danger of falling victim to an online scam or cybercrime. Weak passwords and careless security procedures are examples of risky behavior. That’s why, in addition to believing, “This won’t happen to me,” human error accounts for over 88% of data breaches.

Inadequate cyber hygiene is being addressed by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and CybSafe. The pair releases a report on cybersecurity attitudes and practices annually. Education of both people and corporations is the aim. help instruct people on how to fortify their digital environments more effectively.

More than 6,000 participants were polled for this year’s study from the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, and New Zealand. The survey included multiple question types. These include being aware of security best practices, threats to cybersecurity, and difficulties encountered.

Some startling revelations are made in the report. These include the way in which individuals view and react to cyberthreats. Additionally to what steps they may take to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. These are a few of the report’s most important conclusions.

We Are Online… a Lot

The fact that 93% of research participants use the internet every day is not surprising. We are constantly adding new logins, including “sensitive” ones, which include private data that can be dangerous if compromised.

Of the responders to the research, over half (47%) had ten or more sensitive internet accounts. This increases the risk. particularly if individuals are utilizing the identical password for many accounts.

Online Security Makes People Frustrated

Online security is a top concern for the majority of individuals (84%). However, 39% report feeling frustrated, and almost the same percentage report feeling afraid. Sometimes it seems impossible to outwit the hackers. Just over 50% of respondents believed they had control over digital security. That remains a large number of people who disagree.

However, that does not mean you should lower your guard and make yourself an easy target. You may implement effective best practices to protect your online accounts.

These include:

• 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

Training employees is one strategy to lower human error in cybersecurity. According to the survey, only 26 percent of participants had access to training in cybersecurity.

Additionally, it disaggregated data based on job status. We observe that most people who are not working are deficient. More encouragement and access to training would be beneficial even for people who are currently employed. Merely 53% of respondents said they have access to and are making use of cybersecurity awareness training.

Employers can lower their chance of becoming a victim of a data breach considerably. By strengthening their security awareness training, they can achieve this. Also there is a great chance to offer additional training. especially to people who are retired or do not have a job.

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%)

Which generation reported the most cybercrime incidents? Millennials. In fact, 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. We’ll go through some of these next.

Online Security Best Practices to Reduce Your Risk

1. Strong, Unique Passwords:
   • Start with the basics. Create strong, unique passwords for each online account.
   • Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
   • Enhance your account security with multi-factor authentication.
   • MFA adds an extra barrier to unauthorized access. Even for
     compromised passwords.
3. Regular Software Updates:
   • Keep all your software, including operating systems and mobile
     apps, up to date.
4. Beware of Phishing Attacks:
   • Exercise caution when clicking on links or opening attachments
     especially in emails from unknown sources.
   • Verify the legitimacy of emails and websites. Check for subtle
     signs, such as misspelled URLs or unfamiliar sender addresses.
5. Use Secure Wi-Fi Networks:
   • Ensure you connect to a secure and password-protected Wi-Fi
     network.
   • Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions. Unless using a virtual private network (VPN).
6. Data Backup:
   • Regularly back up important data to an external device or a secure
     cloud service.
7. Use Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software:
   • Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software on all devices.
   • Regularly scan your systems for potential threats.
8. Be Mindful of Social Media Settings:
   • Review and adjust your privacy settings on social media platforms.
   • Limit the amount of personal information visible to the public.
9. Secure Your Personal Devices:
   • Lock your devices with strong passwords or biometric
     authentication.
10. Educate and Stay Informed:
    • Educate yourself and your team through cybersecurity awareness
      programs. This fosters a culture of vigilance and preparedness.

Schedule Cybersecurity Awareness Training Today

Gaining some knowledge about cybersecurity can significantly safeguard your information. The amount of security training you require can be provided by our professionals. We’ll assist you in strengthening your defenses against online fraud, phishing, and cyberattacks.

Contact us today to schedule a chat.