According to a recent survey conducted by Censuswide on behalf of International Cyber Expo, over half of the UK population (53%) would support the UK government and its allies breaking international cybersecurity law. Additionally, 45% of respondents admitted that they would either support or engage in online cybercriminal activity themselves, given the right circumstances.
Interestingly, the research revealed a gender disparity in these statistics. Women were found to be less likely than men to support the UK government and its allies breaking international cybersecurity law, with only 26% of females claiming they would never support such actions, in comparison to 17% of men. Similarly, 40% of women stated that they would never be supportive of or engage in any online cybercriminal activity, while only 26% of men expressed the same sentiment.
The survey also highlighted clear differences between age groups regarding their attitudes towards cybercriminal activity. The older generation exhibited greater opposition to engaging in such activities, regardless of the circumstances, as opposed to their younger counterparts. For example, only 11% of 16-24 year olds were against the UK and its allies breaking international cybersecurity law, whereas over a third (34%) of 55+ year olds expressed their opposition. Similarly, 10% of 16-24 year olds stated that they would never support or engage in online cybercriminal activity, while 54% of 55+ year olds held the same view.
The motivations behind respondents’ willingness to support or engage in cybercriminal activity varied. Those who expressed support for the UK government and its allies breaking international cybersecurity law cited reasons such as the desire to stop war crimes, combat terrorist organizations, and prevent human rights abuses as their main motivations.
For those who admitted they would be supportive of or engage in online cybercriminal activity, their reasons for doing so included defending the UK in the face of a threat from another country, punishing or stopping companies with negative environmental impacts, resolving security vulnerabilities within organizations, seeking personal justice (such as in cases of unfair dismissal or bullying), protesting human rights abuses, disrupting physical wars between countries, seeking revenge on cybercriminals, preventing animal cruelty, accessing TV shows or films without paying, eliminating problematic individuals like Andrew Tate, redistributing wealth, and defending religious beliefs.
Commenting on the survey results, Simon Newman, CEO of the Cyber Resilience Centre for London and member of International Cyber Expo’s Advisory Council, expressed concern over the high percentage of respondents supporting the breaking of international law or engaging in criminal activities, particularly among younger individuals. Newman emphasized that vigilantism is not an appropriate response to these threats, regardless of their seriousness, and individuals who take the law into their own hands are likely to face significant consequences.
For those interested in staying informed about the latest trends, research, and predictions in cybersecurity, International Cyber Expo is set to take place on September 26th and 27th, 2023, at London Olympia. The event will feature leading experts in the field who will share their expertise and insights.
To attend the International Cyber Expo as a visitor, registration is available for free at https://ice-2023.reg.buzz/eskenzi.