Half of respondents are worried about Finnish network security – DNA sees 60 per cent increase in consumer sales of data security services

Shifting Finnish attitudes to data security were already evident in DNA’s Digital Life survey conducted last spring, in which 68 per cent of respondents said they believed that data security threats would increase in the next two years.

This could also be seen in consumer behaviour in 2023, with an increase of more than 60 per cent in sales of DNA’s consumer business data security products from the previous year. Increased interest was also evident in sales of business solutions.

“There’s no denying that we are seeing explosive growth. The current geopolitical situation has put people on their toes, and there has been much talk about cyber security threats. This has made people concerned about their own data security. Thankfully, rising awareness has led to wider adoption of data security services that can defend against threats”, says DNA’s VP, Service development, Ville Partanen.

Concerns about network connections and the situation in the Baltic

The results of a more recent survey conducted by DNA also reflect Finns’ growing concerns. In the survey, which was conducted in November 2023, respondents were asked whether they were worried about the security of Finnish network connections in light of that autumn’s events in the Baltic. Half of respondents answered that they were worried about the situation, and 31 per cent answered that they were not. The survey was conducted by research company Bilendi, and one thousand 18- to 74-year-old Finns from all around Finland responded to it.

“As a telecommunications operator, DNA plays a significant role as a provider of critical infrastructure services. Our main task is to offer high-quality and reliable communication services to our customers and ensure the continuity of our services even in various disruptive and exceptional situations. Taking care of cybersecurity is a crucial part of service continuity. At the same time, it’s important to remember that each of us as individuals can contribute to improving society’s resilience by taking care of our own cybersecurity through everyday choices and actions: People are the most important resource for cybersecurity”, says DNA’s VP Security, Seppo Pekonen.

How to take care of your own cybersecurity

Ville Partanen reminds us that the basic pillars of cybersecurity involve passwords for devices and applications.

“While it may sometimes feel laborious, it’s essential to remember to change default passwords for devices and applications, avoid using the same passwords, keep software up to date, and if there’s a need to share the network with a guest, create a separate visitor network. After implementing these measures, the fundamentals are in place," he emphasizes.

For those who want to go further to ensure their data security, Partanen recommends taking note of a few things.

“Additional measures like this might include creating a separate network for smart devices that access your network from outside the house, such as security cameras and air source heat pumps. You can then use a different network that is only accessed from inside the house for devices like computers. The purpose of this measure is to minimise the risk of an attack against a more public device giving the attacker access to personal devices as well.”

Risks associated with smart phones are less discussed

When it comes to data security, Partanen feels that more needs to be said about the risks resulting from the lack of security on smart devices.

According to the Digital Life survey, one in ten people still believe that they do not need to protect themselves from data security threats. The percentage of respondents who gave this answer fell from 18 per cent in 2022 to 10 per cent in 2023, but it still represents a serious problem.

“Many people use their phone as a notepad, which means they might have their passwords or banking details saved on it in plain text or as an image. The majority of people also use their phone as a strong authentication tool, and many also use it as a payment tool. A lot of people use it for work and have their clients’ data saved on it. In the worst-case scenario, people don’t protect their phone with a password at all or use a password that is easily guessed”, Partanen says.

Unprotected connections are a major reason why companies need to look after their data security. Companies’ services need to remain secure, even when many of their users subject them to malware through unprotected devices. 

“And we haven’t even mentioned the damage that the theft of an underprotected phone can cause its owner. In the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing, a stolen phone can cause a great deal of harm”, Partanen adds.

Partanen advises everyone to seriously consider setting up one specific feature on their smart phone at the first opportunity.

“It’s crucial to be able to erase your phone remotely – that is, to delete all data and applications on it. Backing up your data also speeds up recovery. Companies usually take good care of this, and I would strongly recommend that everyone back up their data. This can help you minimise the negative impacts and get back to life as normal as quickly as possible”, Partanen concludes.

DNA’s Digital Life survey

The Digital Life survey, produced jointly by DNA and Nepa, was conducted using an online panel from 18 April to 3 May 2023. Its aim is to find out how Finns use different digital services as well as their experience regarding digital inclusion. Over one thousand Finns aged 16–74 responded to the annual survey. The survey has been conducted since 2013. 

Check out the DNA Digital Life survey in full here.

For more data security tips, click here.

Additional information:

Seppo Pekonen, VP, Security, DNA Plc, tel. +358 44 044 5959, seppo.pekonen@dna.fi

Ville Partanen, VP, Service Development, DNA Plc. tel. +358 44 044 4056, ville.partanen@dna.fi

DNA Corporate Communications, tel. +358 44 044 8000, communicationsa@dna.fi