Concern about Cybercrime is Limiting Canadians' Use of Online Services, Accenture Survey finds
TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - More than half of Canadian respondents (53 percent) say their concern about cybercrime is limiting their use of online services, according to a new survey from Accenture (NYSE: ACN).
Accenture's 2017 Canada Cybercrime Survey also found high-levels of concern among citizens about cybercrime (80 percent), with more than one-third (36 percent) of Canadians saying they have been the target of a cybercrime attempt. Almost one-fifth (19 percent) of respondents said they had previously been a victim of cybercrime.
The study found that few Canadians know how to respond when their cybersecurity is compromised, with just over one-third (38 percent) of respondents aware of how to report a cybercrime to authorities, and fewer than half (44 percent) being aware of how to protect themselves from cyber threats.
The survey also found that Canadians may be under-reporting and under-estimating their victimization by cybercrime. Only 11 percent of respondents had reported a cybercrime incident in the past three years, and just one-third (36 percent) expressed confidence in the ability of police to respond effectively to cybercrime related complaints.
"Canadians are concerned about their general lack of knowledge when it comes to preventing and reporting cybercrime," said Arnold van den Hoeven, Public Safety lead in Accenture Canada's Health and Public Service practice. "The majority (78 percent) of survey respondents want government and public safety agencies to do more to inform them about how to prevent cybercrime and to stay safe online, with one-fifth (20 percent) of respondents specifically citing the need for increased education of citizens about their personal and data security when online."
When it comes to engaging with police services to report cybercrimes, more than two-fifths (45 percent) of survey respondents said they are comfortable engaging police via online and digital channels and more than half (51 percent) believe that new digital technologies can help police deliver more effective services. More than half (59 percent) of respondents also believe that police services should use digital technologies to help build greater trust with the citizens and communities they serve.
Learn more about Accenture in Canada and our global public service business
Methodology
To gauge citizen views and attitudes regarding cybercrime, Market Strategy Group, on behalf of Accenture surveyed 1,057 Canadian citizens during September 2017. Results are statistically significant with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of +/-4%. Most of respondents (37 percent) were between 45 and 64 years of age; 27 percent were between 18 and 34 years of age; and 18 percent were 65 years of age or older. Respondents came from all 10 provinces with respondents from Ontario being highest at 39 percent followed by Quebec (19%), Alberta (13%) and British Columbia (13%).
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world's largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately 425,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com
SOURCE Accenture
For further information: Theresa Ebden, Accenture, 1-416-358-6741, [email protected]; David Greenberg, Accenture, 1-514-867-2165, [email protected]
Share this article