As a study shows, poor IT security in companies is a major problem for 45 percent of employees. Respondents say they want to work in companies that take IT security seriously. GData comments on the survey.
Anyone who is too relaxed about the topic of IT security risks not only IT security incidents and fines for data protection violations, but also the loss of employees. This is shown by the current study "Cyber Security in Figures" by G DATA CyberDefense in cooperation with Statista and brand eins. For almost half of Germans it is important to work in a company that deals with the topic of IT security conscientiously. In the case of insufficient IT security, there is another risk for companies in addition to high costs for technology or loss of reputation in the event of a cyber attack: employees that the company cannot retain.
IT security that is too bad: fire employees
Companies that don't take IT security seriously risk falling victim to a cyber attack. Violations of the GDPR and the associated fines can also have consequences. The employees are a central resource for more IT security. With the help of security awareness training, they are made aware of the risks associated with cyber security. In this way, companies show that they take the topic seriously and approach it holistically.
Higher fines and knowledge check desirable
IT security is an important component in securing IT systems and company data. Almost two-fifths of the employees surveyed agree that companies should pay higher fines if security incidents occur due to non-compliance with the regulations. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) contains legal requirements for companies. If you do not comply with these, you can face high fines: Amazon paid a fine of 2021 million euros in Luxembourg in July 246, for example, or WhatsApp paid a fine of 2021 million euros in Ireland in September 225.
If companies are negligent when it comes to IT security, the risk of becoming the victim of a cyber attack and suffering major damage increases. In order to protect yourself in the best possible way, it is essential to also make the workforce an integral part of the IT security strategy. This can be achieved, for example, with security awareness training: 37,1 percent of those surveyed find it good if there are rules and regulations relating to IT security.
For example, if password guidelines are insufficiently communicated, employees do not know that even a weak password can become a security risk. In addition, 41,2 percent of those surveyed think it is okay for companies to check their employees' knowledge of IT security unannounced. Statements that prove that German employees are well aware of the relevance of the topic of IT security and that it is an important employee retention tool for companies.
More at GData.de
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.