UK public growing anxious over dependence on IT systems

A recent survey reveals that over 78% of people in the UK now worry about the heavy reliance of global organisations on IT systems and software providers. This comes in the aftermath of the July 2024 CrowdStrike IT outages, which caused significant disruptions worldwide.

The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of the International Cyber Expo organisers, Nineteen Group, collected data from 2,000 nationally representative UK respondents aged 16 and above. The results highlight growing concerns about the dependence on IT systems by both consumers and organisations.

On 19th July 2024, cybersecurity vendor CrowdStrike distributed a faulty update to its Falcon software. This update resulted in widespread problems with Microsoft Windows systems running the software. It is estimated that approximately 8.5 million computers worldwide were affected by the outage, rendering them disabled.

The survey also uncovered that 44% of respondents experienced some impact from the outages. While 18% were directly affected, 26% knew someone who was. This indicates a significant portion of the population was touched by the incident in some way. An additional 55% of respondents reported not being personally affected but were still aware of the incident, underscoring the increased global awareness of tech issues.

Despite the varying levels of personal impact, over three-quarters (78%) of respondents expressed concern over the heavy reliance on IT systems and software providers by global organisations. This sentiment aligns with the wider apprehension over cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the potential for such incidents to disrupt daily life and business operations.

Simon Newman, Co-Founder of Cyber London and member of the International Cyber Expo Advisory Council, commented on the findings. He stated, "While it's encouraging that consumers are becoming more aware of these types of incidents, this survey underlines just how complex and interconnected our supply chains are. Firms of all sizes must ensure they have robust plans in place to deal with any outages and work closely with external IT providers to reduce the likelihood of it occurring."

The results of this survey are expected to prompt a renewed focus on cybersecurity measures among organisations. It emphasises the need for comprehensive strategies to manage and mitigate risks associated with IT dependencies. The data illustrates the heightened public consciousness about the critical role of cybersecurity in safeguarding against disruptions.

The International Cyber Expo, scheduled to be held on 24th and 25th September 2024 at Olympia London, will provide a platform for industry leaders and experts to discuss the latest trends, research, and predictions in the field of cybersecurity. This event will give attendees an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge solutions and products aimed at enhancing digital defence strategies.

The organisers, Nineteen Group, have highlighted the importance of this forum in fostering innovation and collaboration within the cybersecurity community. The Expo aims to address current challenges and explore future opportunities to secure the digital world. Attendees can participate in workshops, live demos, and networking opportunities, fostering a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving digital landscape.