Third of UK lacks confidence in government to keep their data safe

Fewer than half of the UK public (47 percent) are confident in central government’s capabilities to ward off digital threats effectively. Only a third (35 percent) have confidence in local government to do the same.

Those are the findings from a new survey by cybersecurity company Illumio, of adults to understand their attitudes towards cybersecurity.

The findings come directly after a separate report showed local governments are the most vulnerable public sector entities to ransomware attacks, accounting for 60 percent of incidents.

The study revealed international instability has caused increased cyber anxiety and a knock-on impact on the public’s confidence in the organisations they rely on in their daily lives.

More than half (56 percent) of adults harbour increased worry over potential cyberattacks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Fifty-three percent feel increased cyber anxiety over the impact of a cyberattack on them personally. Banking systems are seen as under the greatest risk, followed by central government, financial services like insurance, and transportation systems. 

The potential threat to national security – and the ability for the UK to defend itself – is the public’s greatest concern when it comes to cyberattacks, coming ahead of personal worries such as financial losses and the theft of personal data.

This anxiety is likely fueled by a rising number of cyberattacks on public institutions, with 40 percent of incidents addressed by the NCSC last year targeting the public sector. Central and local government bodies reported more attacks last year than at any other time.

“We must trust so many organisations with our data in our daily lives, so as the public become more concerned about the risks they face, it is only natural that more public bodies come under the spotlight,” said Trevor Dearing, director of critical infrastructure at Illumio.

“The government must maintain public confidence in security, and the first step must be an increase in focus and resources for cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is no longer about building a moat to protect the outer wall. Attackers will get in, so the question security leaders face is how they stay resilient and protect systems and public data should a breach occur. Stringent authentication for all network movement is a must-have for organisations, using Zero Trust principles to block attackers from moving through the network after an initial breach.” 

Dan Patefield, head of cyber and national security at techUK, said cyber risk has become intrinsically common in people’s daily life.

“As the landscape of cyber threats grows more complex, individuals are feeling increasingly overwhelmed and ill-equipped to navigate this ever-evolving area,” he said.

“In response to this challenge, it is important that public and private sectors join forces to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats. By fostering collaboration and sharing expertise, we can not only ease the anxiety gripping the public but also lay the groundwork for a resilient approach to cybersecurity.”