Theale (UK) 18 July, 2017. New research by leading information security company Clearswift has shown how attitudes to cyber security have changed in the boardroom and among staff in the wake of the recent WannaCry attack. 600 senior business decision makers and 1,200 employees across the UK, US, Germany and Australia were interviewed following the events.
Within a day the WannaCry attack, which affected major organizations including the UK National Health Service (NHS), was reported to have infected more than 230,000 computers in over 150 countries, once again bringing the issue of cybersecurity into focus for business and consumers alike.
The scale of the WannaCry attack was evidenced none more so than the sheer awareness amongst the general public, with more than three quarters (77%) of people surveyed having knowledge of the attack, with the number even higher (88%) in the UK.
With 58% of firms in the UK expecting another attack over the next few months, it is clear that the attack has sent ripples through the industry and brought cybersecurity front of mind for both employees and businesses. Following the events, 29% of UK businesses will now add cybersecurity to the boardroom agenda and 29% of firms worldwide have pledged to implement stronger cybersecurity measures.
With 80% of UK employees increasingly worried about how companies hold their data and an identical number (80%) worldwide sharing those concerns it’s no surprise that 38% of employees that were aware of the attack worldwide are now reading more about cybersecurity in the aftermath of the events. Additionally, 33% have changed their passwords, formally enrolled in courses (24%), or are taking steps to ensure their companies raise their game in cybersecurity (26%).
Those in the public sector took a slightly more relaxed attitude to how their data is held with more than a quarter (28%) not being worried by the attacks compared to 17% in the private sector.
With one of the UK’s most well-known organizations, the National Health Service (NHS) being front and centre of the attack it may be surprising to learn that UK employees who were aware of the WannaCry attack, were less likely than those in the USA, Australia and Germany to change their passwords, read more about cybersecurity or even ask their company for advice. The US (49%) proved most likely to action change, followed by Australia (43%), Germany (37%) and then the UK (35%)
The future may be brighter however as more than half (55%) of those aged 18-24 that were aware of the WannaCry attack, have taken the initiative to read more about cybersecurity with 29% enrolling in courses or certifications.
About Clearswift
Clearswift’s content-aware, policy based solutions enables defense, government, healthcare and financial services organizations across the globe to manage and maintain no-compromise data, email, cloud and web security.
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