Globally, investments in digital security are growing at a fast pace
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19-virus and the subsequent increase in teleworking, cybersecurity has been placed in the spotlight. However, in the Netherlands, this is not yet reflected in investments in digital security. In comparison with the rest of the world, fewer organisations in the Netherlands expect an increase in their cybersecurity budget. This is according to PwC's Digital Trust Insights Survey.
Cybersecurity higher on the agenda
'Although the relevance of cybersecurity in the Netherlands is certainly not underestimated, we are lagging behind on a number of important points', says Angeli Hoekstra, partner at PwC and expert in the field of cyber, privacy and technology in response to the survey results. For example, one-third of the respondents have indicated that as a result of the COVID-19-crisis, cybersecurity has been put higher on the agenda than before the crisis. 'That is of course not a small amount, but if you compare it with the results worldwide, it is on the meager side', says Hoekstra. Worldwide results show that half of the respondents indicated that they are looking into cyber risks and further improving them.
Digital security anchored in the business model
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, digitalisation processes have been accelerated. From one day to another organisations had to work from home completely. To support this, digital infrastructures were built in a short time. This increased the risks when it comes to cybersecurity. For example, how do you share information in a secure way with each other via external networks?
To make cybersecurity work well in practice, it has to be anchored in the business model and ecosystem completely, says Hoekstra. 'In order to protect an organisation against attackers, you do not only need to think about your internal organisation, but also about your whole supply chain and your customers.'
It is important that organisations adequately involve and train employees in this. 'The results show that, compared to the results worldwide, the Netherlands has little regard for investment in cybersecurity experts.'
Organisations do well when hiring particularly (security) data analysts and software engineers in order to respond better and faster to new cybersecurity threats. 'Otherwise you run the risk of falling behind,' says Hoekstra.
The full results of PwC's Digital Trust Insights Survey, which includes both the Dutch and the worldwide results, can be read via the link below.
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