Price more important than security for smart devices say cost-conscious Brits

  Posted by: electime      16th September 2022

• 68 per cent of UK home workers don’t prioritise security in top three purchase factors for smart devices, putting home and business cyber-safety at risk
• 79 per cent  of all UK businesses take no steps to secure home internet connection or provide software protection for home devices
• With sales of smart domestic devices booming, unsecured home workers create lucrative entry points for exploitation by cybercriminals

BlackBerry Limited has revealed new research exposing the cybersecurity risks created by cost-conscious home workers who prioritise security behind price. Despite 77 per cent of smart devices in the home being purchased in the past two years, less than a third (32 ) of British home workers who own a smart device said security was a top three factor when making these purchases, compared to 58 per cent who prioritised price (figure 1). Additionally, two in five businesses (41 per cent) aren’t putting adequate security provisions in place to extend cyber protection as far as homes (figure 2), heightening the risk of cyberattacks for businesses and their employees, as hybrid and home working become the norm.

1,000 British home workers were quizzed on their purchasing habits and security when it comes to smart devices. Amidst the UK’s cost of living crisis, smart meters were the most purchased in general (19 per cent), with 71 per cent of those purchased over the last two years. Similarly, the majority (79 per cent) of smart thermostats were purchased in the last two years. However, as workers implement more smart home technology, the complexity of devices connected to the internet increases – and so does the potential threat surface for cybercriminals. In fact, cost-conscious home workers rank device security as low as fourth on their list of priorities when making these purchases.

Despite increased use of smart devices, only 21 per cent of UK home workers say their employer has established a cybersecurity policy with advice for smart devices for the home office period. Furthermore, over 3 in 4 (79 per cent) of Brits say their employers have taken no steps to secure home internet connection or provide software protection for home devices, to close vulnerabilities created by hybrid and home working. This is particularly concerning for SMBs who face upwards of eleven cyberattacks per device, per day, according to BlackBerry research.

“In today’s economic climate, it is understandable that UK citizens want to reduce their overall energy usage through use of smart devices, while reaping the benefits of more flexible working patterns post-Covid. However, with device security far down the list for fraught buyers trying to cut costs, and employer protection of smart home devices only being afforded to few, there is a huge opening for cybercriminals looking to target UK enterprises, with knock-on effects to employees themselves,” said Keiron Holyome, VP UKI, Middle East and Africa at BlackBerry.

Holyome continues, “although these devices may seem innocent, bad actors can easily access home networks with connections to company devices – or company data on consumer devices – and steal data and intellectual property worth millions. Unfortunately, rising living costs, an impending recession, intensifying violence, and rising cyber insurance rates have created the perfect environment for cyber attackers. Both COVID-19 and the 2008–2009 financial crisis saw a surge in cybercrime, and in the coming months, we anticipate seeing a similar rise. Therefore, it is vital that British organisations evaluate their cybersecurity defences now to ensure they are prepared for the turbulent times ahead.”

For more information on how BlackBerry’s comprehensive, prevention-first, AI-driven cybersecurity solutions can help your business prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to cyber threats, please visit BlackBerry.com/Cyber .

Research conducted in June 2022 by Opinion Matters on behalf of BlackBerry, into 1,000 Brits who have worked from home in the last 12 months and have a smart device in their home.

Figure 1: Table showing the percentage of UK respondents who chose each factor in their top three considerations when purchasing a smart device for their home

Figure 2: Table showing the percentage of UK respondents who said their employer has introduced each measure to protect their home network or smart devices while working from home

 Figure 3: Table showing percentage  of respondents who included these factors among their top three most important when purchasing a smart device, by country