The vast majority of small businesses in Denmark have implemented at least one measure to increase IT security. This is shown by a questionnaire survey from Statistics Denmark, which was carried out in the spring of 2024.
Here it appears that 92 per cent. of companies with five to nine employees have implemented one or more IT security measures. The most widespread measure is to have systematic software updates. It has 82 per cent. of the companies surveyed. The most recent questionnaire survey in which companies were asked about IT security measures is from 2022.
In general, the proportion of small businesses that use the security measures examined has increased or remained at the same level from 2022 to 2024. However, the proportion that uses so-called strong passwords has fallen from 76 per cent. to 55 per cent in 2024.
Statistics Denmark points out, however, that in 2024 it will be asked whether passwords are at least 12 characters long, whereas in 2022 they were asked whether they were at least 8 characters long. This may explain the fall, according to Statistics Denmark.
DI: The cyber threat has increased
The overall share of small businesses that use IT security measures is on par with the share in 2022.
Andreas Holbak Espersen, who is acting branch director at DI Digital, emphasizes that the number of cyber attacks has increased in strength and number. That is why safety has become more important than ever before, he believes.
- The many cyber attacks on companies and the general high threat level that has increased in the wake of the war in Ukraine means that even the smallest and most vulnerable companies in Denmark have increased their focus on IT security, he says in a written statement comment.
The biggest increase is seen in the proportion of companies that use at least two authentication mechanisms. It uses 47 per cent. of the companies in 2024 against 37 per cent. in 2022.
/ritzau/
