Kiwis confident in cyber security, but wary of AI tools

A new international study reveals that New Zealanders have a positive attitude towards cyber security, but exhibit wariness towards artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has released findings from its annual survey, titled "Oh Behave!", which collected responses from over 6,500 individuals across seven countries, including New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and India.

According to the research, New Zealanders show promising behaviour regarding cyber security. Thirty-five percent of respondents indicated that they always back up their important data, the highest rate among the nations surveyed. Additionally, 69% of New Zealanders reported that they "always" or "very often" check for signs of phishing before clicking on links. Only 35% of New Zealand participants found cyber security intimidating, the lowest percentage among the countries surveyed. Correspondingly, over 60% believed that being secure online is possible and worth the effort.

Michael Jagusch, Director of Mission Enablement at the NCSC, views the findings as a significant positive for New Zealand. "The overall findings show that, compared to other countries, New Zealanders are more confident online and know that being secure online isn't a hard thing to do," Jagusch stated. He also noted that New Zealanders are less likely to assume their devices are automatically secure, with only 38% holding this belief. "That is encouraging to see," he added.

However, the study also identified a small degree of complacency. Fewer than half of the surveyed New Zealanders believed they could be victims of cybercrime. Meanwhile, only 23% did not see the need to protect their data. Jagusch remarked, "These findings line up with other studies we've done that show a small group of New Zealanders simply don't think cybercrime will happen to them. That's where the NCSC has a role to play in educating people about the risks and ensuring that they know how to protect themselves using simple actions."

The survey also focused on the rise of AI tools, reflecting unease among New Zealanders regarding this technology. Only 48% of New Zealand respondents felt confident in their ability to identify AI-generated content, the lowest confidence level among the countries surveyed. Additionally, only 28% of New Zealand participants were willing to share sensitive work information with an AI tool, and just 47% trusted companies to implement AI responsibly.

Lisa Plaggemier, Executive Director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance, commented on the concern about AI-related cybercrime. "The growing concern about AI-related cybercrime reflects a heightened awareness of the digital threats we face," she said. She noted that over half (56%) of international participants do not use AI tools, and a majority (55%) of those who do use AI are not trained on the associated risks. "It's evident that more education and resources are needed. We must continue to offer clear, practical guidance to help individuals understand and manage the risks associated with AI, ensuring they can protect themselves and their families in an increasingly digital world," Plaggemier concluded.

The full report is available on the NCSC website, providing an in-depth look at cyber security attitudes and behaviours across the surveyed countries.