Recent research conducted by the Cyprus Digital Security Authority (DSA) during 2023 and 2024 reveals a potential need to reassess priorities in the field of business cybersecurity and the broader digital resilience of society.

The findings are reflected in two specialized cybersecurity indicators: the Enterprises Cyprus Cybersecurity Index (Enterprises CY CS Index), which evaluates the cybersecurity performance of businesses, and the Citizens Cyprus Cybersecurity Index (Citizens CY CS Index), which measures the cybersecurity awareness and resilience of individuals.

According to the DSA, the Enterprises CY CS Index recorded an overall decline of 4.86% in 2024 (67.60% compared to 72.46% in 2023). The decrease was attributed to declines across all three core pillars of the index.

The Cybersecurity Proficiency pillar fell by 4.66%, primarily due to a drop in business participation in cybersecurity training sessions and an increase in the number of companies that did not seek information, advice, or guidance on cyber threats during the past year.

The Cybersecurity Incidents pillar declined by 5.31%. While the frequency of cyberattacks decreased, more businesses reported significant operational or financial impact from such attacks.

The Cybersecurity Hygiene and Policies pillar worsened by 4.59%, mainly due to a small but widespread decrease across 10 of the 11 sub-indicators.

“These findings highlight the possible need to redefine business cybersecurity priorities, emphasizing training, preparedness, and the implementation of effective protection policies,” the DSA noted.

In contrast, the Citizens CY CS Index showed improvement in 2024, rising by 6.6% (57.46% compared to 50.87% in 2023), with progress recorded across all three pillars of the index.

The Cybersecurity Proficiency pillar increased by 3.18%, as more citizens attended cybersecurity seminars and demonstrated greater awareness of fraud techniques such as phishing, smishing, and vishing.

The Cybersecurity Incidents pillar improved by 5.02%, with more respondents reporting they had not been affected by data breaches or cyberattacks. Meanwhile, the Cyber Hygiene/Policy pillar recorded the greatest improvement, up by 11.6%, driven by more citizens avoiding suspicious websites and fewer scanning their devices for viruses only once a year or less.

This overall progress strengthens the digital resilience of Cypriot society and underscores the importance of continuing awareness and educational initiatives. Citizens are encouraged to make use of the Get Safe Online Cyprus platform (https://getsafeonline.cy/), an initiative of the DSA that allows users to check suspicious websites for phishing and helps promote safer online browsing.