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Survey results show cyber threats are shaking IT confidence

Late last year, we released Intermedia’s inaugural IT Confidence Index. To recap: we measured the confidence levels of 350 IT decision makers (ITDMs) on a 10-point scale where 0 represents “not confident at all” and 10 represents “extremely confident”. What we found is that inadequate investments in infrastructure, IT complexities, and a barrage of security threats are translating into only modest confidence levels among ITDMs – with an overall Confidence Score of 7.2/10.

Today, we’re taking a deeper dive into the Security category of our report to see how security threats are impacting the front line – our IT teams.

Cyber threats are taking a toll on confidence

In the area of Security, ITDMs gave their ability to prevent, withstand or stop various IT security risks a Confidence Score of 6.7/10. Findings showed that ITDMs lack confidence in their ability to protect organizations from the constant barrage of threats they face. Among the biggest concerns were ransomware, botnets and DDoS attacks, but security threats as a whole serve as a constant worry. And with fewer resources available to them on the whole, IT pros at smaller companies expressed significantly greater uncertainty about their ability to protect their organization than those at larger ones. 

Security scares in the workplace

So how is this concern relating back to security issues within the workplace? Are these fears warranted? The results say “yes” with 15% of respondents indicating that a “significant” security breach had occurred within their organization within the past 12 months. Approximately one-fifth (19%) reported a security compromise at their company due to a phishing attack, and 12% of those attacked by phishing emails fell victim to ransomware.

Each one of these breaches comes with a cost to the company, but the impact can go well beyond the company itself – extending to partners and even consumers. Yet, despite years of rising threats and tech innovation, IT teams still lack confidence in their ability to combat today’s evolving security threats, meaning businesses are likely at greater risk than they may think.

I asked Ryan Barrett, our VP of Security and Privacy, if companies did one thing better to protect themselves from these security risks, what would it be. He had this to say:

“Interactive IT security trainings are key. While the larger companies are doing better at conducting recurring trainings, one training session every 6 months is inadequate. Security training needs to be a frequent practice.”

Employee security training presents an opportunity for the channel

While 62% of respondents indicated that their company offers interactive IT security training at least once every 6 months, 11% of respondents said their company offers no such training. And again, it’s the smaller companies, that are falling behind.

Eric Martorano, our SVP of Worldwide Sales, weighed in on the opportunity these findings present for the channel:

“Providing cybersecurity training is a fantastic opportunity for partners to deliver an additional value-add to their customers. MSPs should consider partnering with one of the leading phishing services companies to offer interactive security trainings as a service to their customers. It’s something MSPs should be advising their customers on just as anything else.”

So that’s a closer look at our Security findings. Be sure to read our full IT Confidence Index report for further insights.

Partners – looking for more ways that you can take action against these insights right now? Check out our IT Confidence Toolkit for Partners.