Following a string of high-profile cyber attacks against private sector and government organizations over the past several months, more than half of Americans surveyed by The Harris Poll believe further cybersecurity investments are essential to combat the threat, and that the Federal government, the military, and the private sector should share cyber threat and attack data to help in the fight.
The poll – commissioned by cybersecurity and systems management provider Tanium – found that four out of five Americans believe the Federal government needs to spend more on cybersecurity. Alongside that figure, 59 percent of Americans believe further security investments are essential even if that comes at the expense of investments in transportation, infrastructure, and education.
The survey also found that 54 percent of those surveyed have cybersecurity on their radar, having heard “a great deal” or “at least a fair amount” about attacks targeting Federal agencies and U.S. companies over the past year.
“As our world becomes even more interconnected, Americans are aware of the challenges accompanying these technological advancements and the ability for an attack to disrupt their lives, like preventing them from filling up their cars with gas,” commented Chris Hallenbeck, Tanium’s CISO for the Americas.
“That’s why it is imperative for the U.S. government and the private sector to further invest in protecting our security, fostering better collaboration and safeguards for our shared future,” he said.
The results from the survey “will be useful for policymakers and private companies alike,” Tanium said in announcing the news. “ But where should that spending be targeted? For optimized results, government security needs to focus on reducing complexity as well as cyber risk. That means consolidating onto industry-leading platforms for enhanced visibility and security,” the company said.
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Tanium between April 22-26, 2021 among 2,063 adults ages 18+.
