Kyndryl the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, today published new research highlighting escalating threats from cyberattacks and scams to Irish households. The findings offer an in-depth perspective on cybersecurity readiness, habits and vulnerabilities among individuals in Ireland, highlighting a lack of basic cybersecurity precautions and awareness, which include:
- One in five (20%) respondents reported directly experiencing a cyberattack or online fraud in the past year.
- An additional 15% reported attacks within their household. In total, more than one in three (36%) Irish households have experienced cybercrime over the last 12 months.
- Almost half (48%) of respondents reuse the same password across multiple sites.
- More than a quarter (26%) acknowledge using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like banking and online shopping, exposing themselves to attacks.
“While businesses are grappling with the complexities of maintaining future-ready IT infrastructure, as highlighted in our recent Kyndryl Readiness Report, the same principles apply to consumers: effective cybersecurity starts with people,” said Chris Davis, Managing Director, Kyndryl Ireland. “Cybersecurity readiness isn’t just about having the latest tools – it’s about fostering awareness and proactive behaviours among individuals. Increasing public awareness and education is crucial to help individuals protect themselves in an ever-evolving digital environment. At Kyndryl, we believe that a collaborative effort involving government, businesses, and educational institutions is essential to fostering a more secure digital society, and we’re committed to supporting that mission.”
The new research was conducted by 3Gem Research and Insights and builds on findings of organizational readiness that Kyndryl recently published in its inaugural Readiness Report.
Cyber threat concerns are pervasive
Cybersecurity worries are widespread, with 73% of respondents most concerned about personal devices being hacked, such as smartphones and laptops. The second biggest concern is online scams (68%), followed by identity theft (58%). Nearly half (48%) fear sensitive information being leaked through data breaches, while 28% express anxiety over ransomware attacks.
Young adults most at risk of cyber fraud
Almost one in five (21%) individuals experienced a cyberattack or online fraud attempt in the last year, with an additional 15% reporting that a household member had been targeted.
Young adults, particularly those aged 25-34, appear to be the most vulnerable, with 29% having been directly targeted by cybercriminals. This figure drops to 19% for those aged 45-54, and just 11% for individuals aged 65 and above.
Poor password practices still prevalent
Password reuse remains a major security risk, with 48% of respondents stating they use the same password across multiple accounts – a habit that significantly increases vulnerability to cyberattacks. This risky behaviour is most prevalent among 18-24 year-olds (57%), compared to 36% of those aged 65+.
Alarmingly, 41% of respondents say they rely on memory to store their passwords, making it less likely they use strong, complex alphanumeric combinations. Reliance on memory increases with age, from 37% of 18-24 year-olds to 50% of 55-64 year-olds.
Only 24% of respondents use a password manager, considered one of the safest ways to store and generate strong passwords. Meanwhile, 17% write their passwords on paper, 12% rely on browser auto-fill, and 4% admit to using the same password for all accounts.
Risky online behaviour still common
Risky online practices remain widespread, with 26% of respondents admitting to using public Wi-Fi for online banking or shopping – leaving them exposed to potential attacks. This behaviour is particularly prevalent among younger age groups, with 41% of 18-24 year olds and 35% of 25-34 year olds engaging in this high-risk activity.
Additionally, 18% of respondents opt out of using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), a highly effective method for securing online accounts. Among younger respondents, the figure rises to 23% of 18-24 year olds and 24% of 35-44 year olds.
Consumers have little tolerance for data breaches
Consumers expect high standards of data protection from service providers. If a breach occurred, 74% of respondents said they would be likely to stop using a financial service, such as a bank or insurance provider, while 75% would do the same for social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
Slightly more lenient attitudes were noted for other services: 70% would be likely to stop using a retailer, 69% an email provider, and 64% a gaming service following a breach.
Public is divided on responsibility for cybersecurity education
When asked who should take the lead in educating the public about cybersecurity, 35% of respondents believed that this was the responsibility of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the body formally responsible for Ireland’s cybersecurity. Schools were the second-most popular choice, with 19% believing they should bear primary responsibility.
Meanwhile, only 12% of respondents feel employers should play a leading role, and just 7% believe universities should be primarily responsible for cybersecurity education.