Only 8 percent of organizations in the Netherlands are prepared for modern cyber security threats, according to Cisco research.
It is Cisco’s first Security Index to include Dutch data. Based on five core pillars, the research determines the level of readiness. These include identity, devices, network, application workloads and data. After questioning 6,700 security leaders, Cisco classified companies as Beginner, Formative, Progressive or Mature.
Only 2 in 25 Dutch companies appear mature enough to truly defend against cyber incidents. The vast majority fall into the Beginner (10 percent) or Formative (65 percent) stage. Such companies are insufficiently able to protect themselves against cyber incidents.
In particular, Dutch organizations are said to often lag behind in network security and application workloads. In those areas, 73 percent and 79 percent of companies are in the beginner or formative stages, respectively. In the areas of identity, data and devices, 7 percent, 11 percent and 22 percent of Dutch companies are truly mature, respectively.
Cisco sees troubling numbers
Cisco cites that 63 percent of companies expect to become victims of a cyber incident in the next 12 to 24 months. When that is compared to last year, it is notable that 42 percent then experienced a security incident. A quarter of those affected said it cost at least $500,000, about 470,000 euros.
At the same time, Cisco sees that companies are aware of the risks and eager to invest in cyber resilience. In the next 12 months, 71 percent of Dutch organizations will increase the security budget by at least 10 percent.
“The current number of companies that can properly defend against cyber attacks is shockingly low.
It is critical that companies take quick steps to bring their cyber resilience
to the right level,” said Michel Schaalje, Cybersecurity lead at Cisco Netherlands.
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