Today, businesses and enterprises are far too familiar with the act of cybercrime. According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2017, nearly 70% of large companies in the UK have undergone a data breach in the past year. Most of the attacks were camouflaged as fraudulent emails and malware attacks, such as tricking staff members into disclosing passwords and sensitive financial information, or opening dangerous attachments. In other words, consumers are still failing to recognise the nature of malicious activity online, including what to watch out for and avoid.

Given that there is a soaring number of businesses — particularly FinTech — that are developing a presence online and relying on cloud-based data storage, the survey also acknowledged how problematic strong cybersecurity is becoming for businesses of all sizes, and from all industrial sectors. Just earlier this year, well-known payday lender Wonga suffered a severe data breach that stole sensitive financial information — customer account numbers and the last four digits of users’ bank cards — of 245000 UK customers.

In response, the Government plans to invest £1.9 billion in cybersecurity to protect the nation from acts of cybercrime, and help make the country the safest place to conduct online business. They have also highlighted the public-private relationship as a crucial element to the process, particularly since critical infrastructure is found in the private sector.

However, amidst these discussions and commitments, the Government’s cybersecurity experts forget to address something important…

The user.

According to the survey, most of these cyber-attacks have been effective because the user allows them to be so. The user — often unaware and uninvolved — opens their door wide to these cybercriminals by clicking on malicious emails and attachments. They think of the idea of cybersecurity and data protection as ‘boring’, ‘complicated’, and even something as twentieth century as ‘on premises’; a highly complicated package of technology that is not given any thought past the point of purchase. Worse of all, consumers expect security solutions to stop these attacks like they’re a notification you turn off.

Own it!

As the global markets introduce new, innovative, internet-connected gadgets and mobile applications, such as smart fridges and driverless cars, it becomes evermore important for consumers to integrate cybersecurity into their lifestyle. At the end of the day, it rests on the extent to which the individual chooses to own their data protection.

PixelPin, UK-based cybersecurity company, believes data protection can be exciting while being secure. With the use of visual and cloud-based technology, it replaces those useless alphanumerical passwords with personal pictures. In doing so, PixelPin helps the businesses and consumers to value the importance of personal cybersecurity.

It’s time to own your cybersecurity. It’s time to close your door to hackers.

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