KnowBe4 report highlights top cybersecurity concerns that keep IT experts “up at night”
- IT experts are concerned about ‘untrained and malicious users’ an average of 125% over other threats
- Three-quarters of UK organisations express concerns over shadow apps and devices
- Almost 50% of organisations struggle to implement security measures that meet compliance requirements
- Almost two-thirds (63%) of organisations are concerned about having adequate budget for cybersecurity
- Credential compromise ranks as the top cyber attack concern
KnowBe4, provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, has recently released the findings of ‘The 2020 What Keeps You Up at Night Report”. Following on the success of last year’s global report, this year, KnowBe4 delves into the issues that specifically trouble UK-based organisations and IT experts. This includes attack types, security initiatives as well as organisational constraints. Moreover, an in-depth analysis examines just how prepared these organisations are in managing such cyber threats, risks and concerns.
The report compiled information gathered from interviews with nearly 200 organisations across twelve different industries in the UK. It was found that, despite feeling confident in their organisation’s security posture, many respondents, somewhat contradictorily, continued to express significant concerns. Indeed, an overwhelming majority (96%) of respondents believe that their organisations have either a ‘proactive’ or ‘mature’ security strategy in place. An additional 71% believe that their organisation has a well-established security culture or that their employees have adopted good cybersecurity behaviours. Yet, 48% of organisations were still concerned to some degree towards at least one of the security issues raised.
Key findings include:
- The ‘untrained or malicious user’ is the single greatest factor in determining “up at night” levels of stress, increasing concerns over cyber attacks an average of 125%
- Three-quarters (75%) of UK organisations express concerns over shadow apps and devices
- Ensuring security measures meet compliance requirements continues to be a challenge for 48% of organisations
- Almost two-thirds (63%) of organisations are concerned about having adequate budget to cover the costs of proper IT staffing, to implement solutions and to maintain relationships with key vendors
- Almost 7 out of 10 (69%) of respondents are worried about credential compromise to some degree, ranking it as the top attack concern.
“When it comes to cybersecurity, it can often feel like a game of moving one step forward only to find that you have moved two steps back. Cyber criminals are relentless in their efforts, adapting and altering their strategies for maximum, personal gain,” said Javvad Malik, security awareness advocate, KnowBe4. “This report clearly demonstrates the many causes of concern, but more importantly, it’s a reminder that no organisation can afford to fall complacent; whether in implementing security policies or building a security culture.”
The full report can be viewed here: https://www.knowbe4.com/hubfs/WhatKeepsYouUpatNight-UK.pdf.
About KnowBe4
KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 33,000 organisations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organisations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organisations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as the last line of defence.
