A third of Internet users have been the victim of a data breach

A third of Internet users have been the victim of a data breach

One in three consumers worldwide have been the victim of a data breach involving a company holding their personal data, according to a study by cybersecurity firm Thales.

The company's report (opens in a new tab) found that 82% of these data breach victims experienced some sort of negative impact on their lives, which is not surprising, as data breaches can put victims at a much higher risk of problems like identity theft. . protection.

Despite the virtual ubiquity of data breaches, the research found that 82% of consumers continue to believe that online digital service providers will protect their personal data at least to some degree.

How should companies react?

The Thales survey also touched on consumer views on how companies should handle data breaches.

More than half, 54%, believe that companies should be required to apply mandatory data protection controls, such as encryption and two-factor authentication, after a data breach.

The report also found that many consumers are willing to vote with their wallets and hit companies where it hurts when it comes to data protection.

Just over a fifth (21%) of consumers surveyed by Thales said they had stopped using a company that suffered a data breach, and 42% requested that their information be removed.

The research also revealed some statistics on how trust varies between regions and between industries.

Thales' research found that the financial sector was by far the most trusted industry among respondents, with 42% trust.

This is followed by healthcare and consumer technology, which are trusted by 27% and 32% of consumers, respectively.

Media and entertainment scored the worst of all categories examined, with just 12% trust, while governments followed close behind with just 14% of consumers trusting them.

The report also revealed that consumer confidence varied widely from country to country.

Brazil and Mexico were by far the most confident countries among respondents, scoring 95% and 92% respectively when asked: "How much do you trust the security of your personal data in online digital services? , such as shopping, social networks, travel, etc.?

The same cannot be said for consumers in the UK, Australia and France, where only 20% of respondents could say the same.