Citizens of the UK have been encouraged to take measures to enhance their online safety following the findings of the UK Cyber Survey by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which revealed significant vulnerabilities in their understanding of personal security.
The results, published prior to the NCSC’s CYBERUK 2019 conference taking place in Glasgow this week, will shape government policy as well as the recommendations provided to organizations and the general public. The cyber summit will feature various sessions presented by representatives from industry, academia, and government, including a keynote address by Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington.
The findings indicate that only 15% of individuals claim to possess extensive knowledge regarding self-protection against harmful activities. The predominant concern among respondents is the potential theft of money, with 42% believing it is likely to occur by 2021. A significant 89% of individuals engage in online shopping, with 39% doing so on a weekly basis.
Additionally, one-third of respondents depend, to some degree, on friends and family for assistance with cyber security matters. Younger individuals tend to exhibit greater awareness of privacy issues and are more cautious about the information they share online. While 61% of internet users check social media platforms daily, 21% report that they never access social media.
Furthermore, 70% consistently utilize PINs and passwords for their smartphones and tablets, yet less than half of the respondents do not always employ a strong, unique password for their primary email accounts.
David Lidington, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “Given the growing global threat from cyber attacks, these findings underline the importance of using strong passwords at home and at work.”
“This is a message we look forward to building on at CYBERUK 2019, an event that reaffirms our commitment to make Britain both the safest place in the world to be online and the best place to run a digital business.”
Dr Ian Levy, NCSC Technical Director, said: “We understand that cyber security can feel daunting to a lot of people, but the NCSC has published lots of easily applicable advice to make you much less vulnerable.”
“Password re-use is a major risk that can be avoided – nobody should protect sensitive data with something that can be guessed, like their first name, local football team or favourite band.”
“Using hard-to-guess passwords is a strong first step and we recommend combining three random but memorable words. Be creative and use words memorable to you, so people can’t guess your password.”
The two-day CYBERUK 2019 conference, organized by the NCSC, is set to take place at the Scottish Exhibition Centre in Glasgow on 24 and 25 April, attracting 2,500 delegates. This premier event for the UK’s technology sector will feature a variety of speeches, workshops, and interactive exhibits. It will bring together representatives from government, industry, and academia to exchange insights aimed at enhancing the safety of online living and business in the country.
