Nicosia: One in two people in Cyprus fell victim to a cyber attack in 2024, with nearly half of the businesses experiencing attacks or breaches within the last year, as revealed by the Digital Security Authority’s Consumer Survey on Cybersecurity. This survey, published on Thursday by the Office of Commissioner of Communications, highlights the pressing cybersecurity challenges faced by both individuals and businesses in Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the survey assessed key issues such as the handling of cybersecurity matters, the importance placed on these issues, responses to cyber-attack incidents, and their consequences. Conducted in September-October 2024, the survey involved 1001 citizens and 450 businesses across various sectors, with the findings presented during a stakeholder and authority meeting on 19 November 2024.
The business-focused survey disclosed that 47% of businesses endured attacks or breaches over the past 12 months, facing an average of one attack every 10 days. More than h
alf (56%) of these businesses reported an average financial loss of £12,000. Phishing, primarily via fraudulent emails, emerged as the most prevalent attack type, affecting 40% of businesses and constituting 71% of the most recent attacks.
The citizen survey revealed that 49% of participants experienced attacks in the last year, averaging 28.5 breaches annually. Among those attacked, 13% incurred an average cost of £62. Despite the rise in attack frequency from 25.9 to 28.5, the financial impact of these attacks has diminished, possibly due to citizens’ improved ability to detect fraudulent messages.
Phishing was also the most common attack encountered by citizens, affecting 39% of respondents. Interestingly, among those who have not yet been attacked, 87% anticipate the possibility of future cyber threats.
In response to these findings, the Digital Security Authority plans to organize training seminars to bolster cybersecurity knowledge and skills, alongside awareness-raising campaigns for both citizens a
nd businesses in the coming months.