Member Article

25% of Brits see their personal data lost or stolen

A quarter (25%) of Brits have had their personal data lost or stolen, but over two-fifths (43%) admit they do not read terms and conditions about how their data is being used, according to** Fujitsu’s ‘Driving a Trusted Future in a Radically Changing World’** report.

The report – which surveyed 2,000 UK consumers and 600 leaders of private and public sector organisations – cites privacy as a key concern for consumers, as a quarter (25%) are worried about their data being used without their knowledge or consent.

The public seems to be aware of the security risks they face, with over a third (35%) admitting to having security concerns around the sharing of personal data and 34% lack trust in how organisations will use their personal data. Similarly, business leaders are becoming more alert towards the security issues putting their business at the most risk. Keeping up with regulation/governance (32%), technological innovation (29%) and cyberattacks and data theft (27%) are all identified as the biggest issues by business leaders.

Overall, when asked whether they are worried society is becoming too reliant on technology, a half of all consumers (49%) agreed. This sentiment is echoed by UK business leaders, who are concerned their organisation itself has become too reliant on technology (48%). The reliance on technology is changing consumer habits, as nearly a third (30%) of the UK public saying they could only live comfortably without personal technology for one to three days.

Commenting on the findings, Paul McEvatt, Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Manager at Fujitsu UK, said: “Data security is clearly a top-of-mind issue for the UK public as they become more aware of how organisations are using their data, but it is concerning that such a large number of Britons have been affected by some form of breach. It is equally worrying that so many people do not read the terms and conditions properly which could make them ill-informed about how a breach may affect them. Businesses have a responsibility to be clear and honest with how they are using their customers’ data and should have security at the forefront of their operations. As both businesses and consumers become more reliant on technology, cybersecurity will be one of the key drivers to building trust.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Fujitsu .