Report Ranks UK As 9th Least Likely Nation To Experience a Cyber Attack in 2023

According to the latest Global Cyber Crime Report produced by SEON, a global company focused on detecting and preventing financial crime, internet users in the United Kingdom are the 9th least likely to experience a cyber attack in 2023.

The report has analysed 93 countries to determine the level of cybercrime threat they face. The latest findings show that European nations dominate the top 10 least-risk countries, with the UK making it into the list.

SEON created a global ranking system by combining data from three major cybersecurity authorities: the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI), which is updated on a live basis; the Global Security Index (GCI) (2020; and the Cybersecurity Exposure Index (CEI) (2020), By calculating the mean average of the scores given by the NCSI, GCI and CEI for each country, a Cyber Safety Score was established.

The UK’s Cyber Safety Score stands at 85.59, placing it 9th among the least-risk countries:

 

Ranking

Country

NCSI Index

GCI Index

CEI Index

Cyber Safety Score

1

Belgium

94.81

96.25

81.00

90.69

2

Finland

85.71

95.78

89.00

90.16

3

Spain

88.31

98.52

79.00

88.61

4

Denmark

84.42

92.60

88.30

88.44

5

Germany

90.91

97.41

75.90

88.07

6

Lithuania

93.51

97.93

70.30

87.25

7

France

84.42

97.60

77.20

86.41

8

Sweden

84.42

94.55

79.00

85.99

9

United Kingdom

77.92

99.54

79.30

85.59

10

Portugal

89.61

97.32

69.70

85.54

 

SEON’s latest findings show that internet users in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Namibia are at the highest risk of experiencing a cyber attack in 2023.

 

 

The United States ranked 16th, just behind Australia, with a Cyber Safety Score of 83.48. This indicates that the UK has a higher cybersecurity level than the US.

As the United Kingdom is ranked 9th in the least-risk countries for cyber threats, it reflects its ongoing efforts to enhance its cybersecurity posture. The UK government has been investing in various initiatives and strategies to protect the country’s digital infrastructure and improve its resilience against cyber attacks.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Strategy, launched in 2016, laid out a comprehensive plan to strengthen the country’s cyber defence capabilities. With a £1.9 billion investment, this strategy aimed to create a robust cybersecurity ecosystem, promote innovation, and foster a skilled workforce in the cybersecurity sector.

Another initiative is the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), established in 2016. The NCSC is a central authority for providing advice, guidance, and support to UK organisations, individuals, and businesses to improve their cyber defences. It also collaborates with international partners to share threat intelligence and best practices.

Furthermore, the UK government has actively promoted cybersecurity awareness and education, encouraging individuals and businesses to adopt best practices for safeguarding their digital assets. Programs such as Cyber Essentials and CyberFirst aim to increase awareness about cyber threats and provide resources to enhance cybersecurity capabilities at different levels.

In summary, the United Kingdom’s position as the 9th least likely nation for internet users to experience a cyber attack in 2023 reflects its commitment to cybersecurity. By investing in strategic initiatives, fostering a skilled workforce, and promoting awareness, the UK continues to strengthen its defences against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.