New Report Reveals Critical Gaps in Consumer Cybersecurity Practices Ahead of Data Privacy Day
On January 28, 2025, Acronis, a leading global entity in cybersecurity and data protection, published significant findings from its inaugural report, “Data Privacy in 2025: A Survey to Explore Consumer Views on Cyber Protection.” The report coincides with Data Privacy Day and sheds light on global consumer attitudes towards cybersecurity practices and data protection, significantly revealing alarming gaps in these areas.
The survey, which encompassed various questions designed to elicit detailed responses from consumers, illustrated that 64% of participants prioritize data breaches as their top privacy concern. This statistic underscores an urgent need for consumers to bolster their cybersecurity defenses. The data collected indicates a pressing disconnect, where increased awareness of cyber threats does not correspond to equivalent improvements in protective behaviors.
A substantial proportion of respondents reported having experienced data theft, with 25% indicating they had encountered incidents of data loss or breaches. Furthermore, 12% of participants were uncertain about whether their data had been compromised—a clear indication of the often-invisible nature of cyberattacks. Among those surveyed, a notable gap was present in the adoption of secure practices. While 66% stated they regularly back up their data, 9% reported never performing backups, and strikingly, 4% admitted they were unfamiliar with what data backup implies.
The findings further revealed weaknesses in password management. Although over two-thirds of the respondents claimed to use strong, unique passwords, less than half (46%) employed two-factor authentication, an essential layer of defense against potential breaches. Mobile security appears to be another area requiring attention, as only 43% acknowledged utilizing mobile security applications, while 35% reported having no prior experience with these critical tools.
While almost all participants rated data security as paramount, only 40% regularly updated their passwords, and nearly 70% continued using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, highlighting disparities between attitudes and actions. Compounding these issues, roughly 30% found security tools overly complicated, with 25% citing high costs as a barrier to adoption. This suggests a need for simpler, more user-friendly cybersecurity solutions.
A generational divide in awareness was revealed, with younger consumers (those under 35) reporting significantly higher instances of breaches compared to older age groups. This disparity may reflect differing digital behaviors and risk management practices among various demographics. Encouragingly, however, the uptake of video-based education on cybersecurity is rising, with 44% of respondents leveraging online videos to enhance their understanding of safety best practices—a positive step towards better-informed consumer behavior.
Addressing the findings, Gaidar Magdanurov, President of Acronis, emphasized the responsibility of both organizations and individuals in safeguarding personal data. He remarked, “While many people are rightly concerned about how organizations handle their data, this survey highlights that individuals also play a crucial role in protecting themselves.” This statement aligns with MITRE ATT&CK tactics such as initial access and exploitation of vulnerabilities, indicating that users must prioritize their cybersecurity hygiene.
The Acronis report serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing need for robust cybersecurity measures. It highlights a dual challenge; while the acknowledgment of cyber risks increases, actionable protective behaviors still lag. As a call to action in light of Data Privacy Day, the report advocates for foundational cybersecurity practices that include consistent data backups, the enabling of two-factor authentication, and the application of mobile security programs.
As businesses and consumers navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape, these insights stress the importance of continual education and the adoption of accessible cybersecurity tools. With 2,480 general-population consumers aged 18–64 surveyed in eight countries, including the U.S. and U.K., the report provides a global perspective on current cybersecurity practices and consumer attitudes toward data protection. For further information and a comprehensive understanding of the survey findings, Acronis encourages visitors to explore their blog and access the complete report online.
