The Key to Battling Cyber-Crime Begins With Users

The Key to Battling Cyber-Crime Begins With Users

Businesses must do a better job of educating consumers and employees about proper cyber-security precautions as a first line of defense against cyber-criminals.

84% of surveyed Americans believe their personal information is more vulnerable than it was a year ago.

69% of those surveyed Americans think having their personal information stolen in their lifetime is inevitable.

70% have not installed security software on their smartphone or tablet, 62% have not strengthened their Wi-Fi password, and 51% do not change passwords frequently.

89% feel that dealing with a theft or loss of their personal information would be more difficult to deal with than doing their taxes. 61% of Americans lack a response plan for a data breach.

38% have a “private folder” on their PC or mobile device that they wouldn’t want anyone else to see. Among Millennials, the figure is 57%.

88% of employed Americans use work devices without trusted company security software.

88% of Americans believe that companies often say their data is more secure than it actually is. More than 1 in 3 people feel that companies spend more on a social media strategy than on a data protection strategy.

70% think it would be riskier to trust a company with their Social Security number than to carry their social security card in a wallet.

84% do not frequently dispose of work information that is no longer needed by deleting and shredding documents.

Educate customers and employees about risks and appropriate actions. Use encryption, virtualization and enterprise mobility management to reduce risks. Develop a deeper understanding of employee needs and behaviors in order to build a better security framework.

“The public is aware of increasing security threats but people do not fully understand the risks and what to do if data is compromised.”—Alicia Rey, Citrix Security Solutions