Survey: Canadians confident in protecting their data
by CMO Staff
Trust is so important in cybersecurity, but Canadians say education is lacking
TORONTO – An online survey from global cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks and YouGov reveals that two-thirds of Canadians (66%) apply the same management of security across all of their personal devices (e.g., PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets), and more than half of respondents (56%) feel they’re doing all they can to prevent the loss of their information.
Palo Alto Networks partnered with YouGov and Dr. Jessica Barker, an expert in the human nature of cybersecurity, to poll 1,012 Canadian adults to examine individuals’ perceived views of cyberthreats and their level of cybersecurity preparedness in their digital lives.
“As more of our time is spent on smart devices, it’s becoming increasingly important to protect our personal information from cybercriminals,” said Rob Lunney, country manager of Canada, Palo Alto Networks. “As this study shows, Canadians understand that they are responsible for protecting their data and are confident in their ability to do so.”
The study also identified other factors that would make Canadians feel more secure online, including:
- Knowing what they can do to protect themselves and their families (56%).
- Knowing that more cybercriminals are being caught and punished (32%).
- Knowing there is a government official or agency responsible for cybersecurity (26%).
- More transparency from companies about their cybersecurity best practices, such as the type of software they use or the number of employees working on their cybersecurity (26%).
- Learning about the risks of being online in simpler terms (24%).
“Trust is so important in cybersecurity. People want to be actively engaged in better protecting themselves online, and they embrace technology that supports them in this. The knowledge acquired can then be transferred to other areas of their lives, most importantly, the workplace,” said Dr. Jessica Barker.
While Canadians said that understanding security best practices is the best way to protect their data against today’s cyberthreats, only 28% of respondents agree that the government and schools are doing enough to educate the public around managing cybersecurity. For respondents ages 18-24, this drops to 16%.
“Providing the public with foundational cybersecurity knowledge and skills is critical in today’s data-driven society,” added Lunney. ”
The online study’s figures were weighted and are representative of all Canadian adults (aged 18+).
PHOTO: Palo Alto Networks Inc.
