Yet, almost three-quarters of these businesses think they are likely to be impacted by a cybersecurity incident
BRATISLAVA, March 4, 2021 – ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, reveals that 80% of businesses worldwide are confident their home-working employees, specifically those working with finance software or participating in official company transactions, have the knowledge and technology to mitigate cybersecurity risks. This could possibly be due to increased education around cybersecurity in recent years, but could potentially indicate a false sense of security as well.
Yet, this general sense of confidence comes as almost three-quarters (73%) of these businesses also think they are likely to be impacted by a cybersecurity incident. Additionally, of these businesses, those in the information research and analysis (93%) and accounting, banking and finance (87%) industries were most likely to think a cybersecurity incident would impact them.
ESET has explored the attitudes of senior managers toward financial technology (FinTech) and security in the business segment of its global FinTech research, surveying 1200 senior managers in a variety of industries across the UK, US, Japan and Mexico. One of the key areas the survey focused on was business confidence around remote working and its effects on the security of finances.
It is no secret that since the COVID-19 lockdowns began, cybercrime has increased, and remote working has presented increased risks for businesses. Cybercrime was already on the rise pre-pandemic, and our research revealed that 45% of businesses said they had experienced a cyber breach in the past.
The pandemic has illuminated cybersecurity as a key concern for businesses, and the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2021 even ranks cyber risks among key global risks. Similarly, our research outlined that 81% of senior business leaders adopt a cybersecurity-first approach when investing in new technology solutions, and 72% of businesses are actively investing in new technologies for better security of finances.
Commenting on the results, Pavol Balaj, enterprise segment director at ESET, said, “As cybercrime continues to permeate the business world, and with serious financial and reputational consequences, it is essential that businesses are mitigating any risks. Mass remote working has permanently altered the threat landscape, and with new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit, it is essential that all employees across any organization are equipped with the knowledge and tools to detect and prevent a cyberattack or data breach. Moving forward from the pandemic, cybersecurity cannot be overlooked as an essential part of business strategy, and ESET’s research reflects the necessity of continued investment in cybersecurity.”
To learn more about ESET and its global financial technology research, please visit our newsroom.
About ESET
For more than 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure and consumers worldwide from increasingly sophisticated digital threats. With solutions ranging from endpoint and mobile security to encryption, multi-factor authentication and endpoint detection and response, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products unobtrusively protect and monitor 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an intelligent IT security company that enables the safe use of technology. This aim is backed by ESET’s R&D centers worldwide, working in support of our shared future. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.