Public anxiety over AI-driven cyber threats rising

Research conducted by CybSafe and the National Cybersecurity Alliance reveals increasing public anxiety concerning cybercrime, particularly around AI-driven threats and media influence.

The study, published in "Oh, Behave! The Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report 2024-2025," involved over 7,000 participants and indicated that 61% worry about becoming victims of cybercrime. The research highlighted generational differences, with the Silent Generation expressing the greatest concern at 70%, whereas Gen Z exhibited the least concern at 20%, despite 44% believing they are unlikely to be targeted.

Anxiety about cybercrime has differing effects on various age groups. While younger generations such as Millennials and Gen Z feel overwhelmed by the volume of online security information, leading to 42% and 41% respectively limiting their online activity, Baby Boomers are less affected, with only 30% taking similar actions.

Public perception regarding the inevitability of data theft is rising, with 38% of participants believing personal information theft is unavoidable, a 5% increase since 2023. Younger generations appear more resigned to the idea of financial losses online, with 41% each of Gen Z and Millennials sharing this view, whereas older generations maintain more optimism, with 68% of Baby Boomers and 64% of the Silent Generation believing they can avoid such outcomes.

AI-enabled cyber threats are a growing concern, with 65% of participants expressing worry about AI-related cybercrime. The sophistication of AI-driven phishing and fake communications presents new challenges for detection, highlighting the importance of developing AI-aware security strategies to reinforce security practices around AI use.

Media portrayal of cyber security issues has notably influenced public anxiety, with 44% of participants feeling heightened fears due to media coverage and 47% perceiving that media complicates cybersecurity matters, an increase of 5% since 2023. "As awareness of cyber threats grows within the business world, it's only natural the workforce feels additional anxiety around cybersecurity," said Oz Alashe MBE, CEO & Founder of CybSafe. "This increased anxiety can be constructive if it's channelled by organisations to develop positive security behaviours. The question is, how do we ensure that employees who feel vulnerable in their cybersecurity knowledge feel encouraged to speak up rather than blend into the background?"

Alashe emphasised the importance of cultivating a security-conscious culture: "This is where a security-conscious culture is essential. When workers feel supported in coming forward to ask questions and build their skills, they're more likely to adopt safer behaviours and contribute to organisational resilience."