Trust in the authorities when it comes to cybersecurity issues depends on the competence of the respondents. Basically, Germans have little trust in German authorities and institutions - only 45 percent said they trust them when it comes to data protection.
This is shown by the current survey "Cybersecurity in Numbers" by G DATA in cooperation with Statista and brand eins. Another result of the study: the greater the competence in IT security, the greater the trust.
Only 15 percent have “very high” trust in data protection
German authorities and institutions in Germany do not enjoy a great deal of trust in key issues relating to data protection and IT security. Only around 15 percent of the respondents have a very high level of trust in authorities when it comes to the protection and security of personal data that authorities collect or store. There are particular doubts in the area of educating children and young people in school about correct behavior on the Internet and possible dangers. In the whole of Germany, two thirds of the respondents have little confidence in the competence of the competent authorities. One consequence of the failures in education is that the dangers of the internet and how to use them are never properly learned and implemented.
“Anyone who complains about a shortage of IT specialists today must come to the conclusion that the education system has a mandate to open up opportunities at an early stage and thus create skills in the long term. It has been missing out on this assignment for years and has shifted the responsibility onto its parents, ”says Tim Berghoff, Security Evangelist at G DATA CyberDefense. “The internet is no longer something that only happens in our free time. However, this realization has not yet reached everyone. It takes more than chic and media-effective lighthouse projects at individual schools. "
Respondents with IT skills have more confidence
The survey also shows that trust in authorities depends significantly on the IT security skills of the respondents. The higher it is, the greater the trust. Two thirds of those questioned with a great deal of IT security knowledge expressed great trust in the protection and security of personal data in authorities. For people with very little IT security skills, it is only 33 percent.
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About G Data With comprehensive cyber defense services, the inventor of the anti-virus enables companies to defend themselves against cybercrime. Over 500 employees ensure the digital security of companies and users. Made in Germany: With over 30 years of expertise in malware analysis, G DATA conducts research and software development exclusively in Germany. The highest standards of data protection are paramount. In 2011, G DATA issued a “no backdoor” guarantee with the “IT Security Made in Germany” seal of trust from TeleTrust eV. G DATA offers a portfolio from anti-virus and endpoint protection to penetration tests and incident response to forensic analyzes, security status checks and cyber awareness training to defend companies effectively. New technologies such as DeepRay use artificial intelligence to protect against malware. Service and support are part of the G DATA campus in Bochum. G DATA solutions are available in 90 countries and have received numerous awards.