European companies need better ICT security

Eurostat promotes safer internet usage

In connection with the Safer Internet Day on 8 February 2011, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, has presented a selection of statistics concerning internet security. The Safer Internet Day is part of a global drive to promote a safer Internet for all users, in particular children and young people, and is organised by INSAFE, a European internet safety network co-funded by the European Commission. During a recent survey Eurostat has researched the level of internet crime and ICT security on European companies.

Statistics from various European countries

The score for incident with ICT security within the Netherlands was very high, namely 43%. In Germany it was 22%, 24% in Belgium and the United Kingdom only 10%. The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway are among the countries with the highest ICT security incidents. Finland is the European leader with 47 percent. The countries with relatively many of these incidents are often characterized by relatively large and advanced ICT use. One consequence is that the risk of incidents has also increased.

One third in EU are affected by incidents with ICT-security

In the EU27 in 2010, almost one third of individuals (31%) who used the internet in the 12 months prior to the survey by Eurostat reported that they caught a virus or other computer infection resulting in loss of information or time during this period.