Working from home increases cybersecurity awareness among young people

Working from home increases cybersecurity awareness among young people

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Kaspersky survey shows: Increased cybersecurity awareness among young people in Germany through working from home. 36 percent fear IT security problems when working remotely, 35 percent already use AI technology or automated digital processes on the job and 48 percent put hope in support from AI.

Due to the corona pandemic, more people than ever before are working from home and are dependent on the functionality of a digital infrastructure. But how do Generation Z and millennials in Germany experience the current situation in the home office? And how do you assess the integration of future technologies such as artificial intelligence in the workplace?

The main statement of the study

The Kaspersky study shows: 36 percent of survey participants fear that working in the home office could stall their own professional career. A good third (36 percent) also have concerns that the increased integration of AI systems and modern technology in their personal work environment could compromise IT security. Almost half (45 percent) of the respondents also stated that their awareness of cybersecurity issues - in view of the new information situation and the associated technological challenges - has increased.

Almost half of the survey participants hope for support from artificial intelligence in their working life. 48 percent of those surveyed would be very happy if an AI could advise and support them in real time on IT security issues - especially when it comes to opening attachments or clicking links that might pose a security problem for their own employer .

Heightened cybersecurity awareness through home office

More than half (55 percent) of the under-31-year-olds surveyed in the Kaspersky study believe that the Covid pandemic has enormously accelerated the digitization of the world of work. Over a third (35 percent) already use AI technology or automated digital processes as part of their professional activities. However, around a third (36 percent) are concerned that the increased integration of AI systems and modern technology in their personal work environment could compromise IT security. Possibly an explanation for the fact that for 48 percent of the young German citizens already in working life, when choosing a new job, it is not only important that home office is offered, but that the home office is also equipped with the latest technology by the employer.

"In view of the increased digitization of the working world due to the effects of the corona pandemic and the increasing use of machine learning, independent of this, there have obviously also been increased concerns and increased awareness of cyber security issues among the target group surveyed," says Christian Funk, head of research - and analysis teams in the DACH region at Kaspersky. "Furthermore, the large proportion of remote work has in many cases also led to extensive changes and expansions of the IT infrastructure in the individual companies and institutions, which have to be integrated into the overall concept with regard to security strategy, emergency plans and backup systems," says Funk .

Partly concerns about own expertise

More than a third (37 percent) of those surveyed are also concerned that their skills will no longer be sufficient due to the increase in technological systems and fear that this could hamper their professional development. At the same time, the young Germans see great potential in such experience: Over half (51 percent) of the study participants are of the opinion that people who have knowledge in the field of automation and artificial intelligence will be given more responsibility and earn money in the future.

Almost half of the target group sees the use of AI as positive

The 16 to 30-year-olds surveyed by Kaspersky in Germany still attribute significant positive effects to the increased use of AI in the work environment. 46 percent are of the opinion that AI could create more space for creativity and communication among people because it can take over monotonous routine activities on the job.

Background to the study

The online survey was conducted by Arlington Research on behalf of Kaspersky in January and February 2021. 1.000 German citizens (711 of them employed) between the ages of 16 and 30 were asked about their perception and attitude to the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI). The survey is representative of Germany by gender and place of residence (federal state). The aim of the survey was to interview those people who, privately and professionally, are likely to have the most to do with Artificial Intelligence (AI) - the under 31-year-olds, i.e. the AI ​​generation.

More at Kaspersky.de

 


About Kaspersky

Kaspersky is an international cybersecurity company founded in 1997. Kaspersky's in-depth threat intelligence and security expertise serve as the basis for innovative security solutions and services to protect companies, critical infrastructures, governments and private users worldwide. The company's comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection as well as a range of specialized security solutions and services to defend against complex and evolving cyber threats. Kaspersky technologies protect over 400 million users and 250.000 corporate customers. More information about Kaspersky can be found at www.kaspersky.com/


 

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