Survey: Only Four Percent of U.S. Adults are Concerned about Cybersecurity during Summer Vacation

This summer, my family and I visited a few Arizona ghost towns, and the experience made me wonder what it might have been like to travel across the Old West with all your possessions in tow. What would it feel like to ride through mountains, deserts and territories with only a canvas-covered wagon protecting your valuables? I bet they were keenly aware of the many travel risks and threats. They had to be.

As we zoomed across the same highways, now in an air-conditioned SUV, I couldn’t help but contrast the relative safety and luxuries we enjoy today with the travel conditions then. But while the landscape and comforts have changed, some of the threats and vulnerabilities remain the same.

No, we don’t carry our valuables in a wooden cart, but we do carry digital devices capable of accessing bank accounts and personal information. Smartphones, laptops and IoT devices are portals that can access and direct the most intimate details of our lives. When we travel, we too should be aware of potential risks and take extra precautions to safeguard against them.

As cybersecurity professionals, we often are more informed than the average consumer on the methods malicious actors take to exploit vulnerabilities and compromise data. As a result, I believe we are accountable for educating and informing consumers of potential cybersecurity concerns.

This is especially important this time of year, when millions of Americans will be traveling for summer vacation. AAA reported that a record-breaking nearly 47 million Americans traveled at least 50 miles from their homes for Independence Day. Working in this industry, we are often aware of the potential cybersecurity risks travelers face when away from home.

However, a recent survey by University of Phoenix found that very few travelers consider their cyber safety while on summer vacation despite increased risk that comes from using unsecure public networks.

According to the survey, 83 percent of U.S. adults (Read more...)