Individuals from ‘Generation Z’ outscored all other generational segments on cybersecurity knowledge in Hong Kong but have little to show for ranking the lowest in behavior.

The findings were based on a recent survey by HSBC used to create a cybersecurity index to score individuals based on knowledge, behavior and attitude. Overall, Hong Kongers scored an average of 72.6 out of 100. 

Gen Z respondents – popularly defined as those born in the late 1990s and early 2000s – received the highest score in knowledge and attitude but the lowest in behavior, suggesting that security know-how is not being put to practice. In contrast, Gen X and Gen Y respondents demonstrated knowledge gaps on issues like privacy settings, two-factor authentication and biometric authentication.

Better Score Needed

Hong Konger’s average score leaves a lot to be desired especially given that the city ranks amongst the highest in terms of tech adoption, the report added, with only 8.5 percent of respondents scoring above 80. On the three aspects, respondents scored an average of 72.6 for knowledge, 68.1 for behavior and 77 for attitude. 

«While it’s encouraging to see that the general population is cyber aware, we’d love to see everyone become cyber smart and scoring over 80 across the attitude, behavior and knowledge in order to protect themselves against cybersecurity risks,» said Andrew Eldon, HSBC’s Hong Kong head of digital, wealth and personal banking. 

Simple Steps

Given the existing gap, some relatively simple steps can be taken by Hong Kongers to improve security risk. Only 45 percent of respondents claimed to use different passwords for email, social media and bank accounts with just 36 percent having changed their password for finance-related apps in the last three months. This may have contributed to the 16 percent that incurred losses from cyberattacks or scams.

«Even the most secure banking service can be vulnerable if customers are not aware of the need to protect their savings from cyber thieves,» Greg Hingston, HSBC’s APAC and Hong Kong head of wealth and personal banking.

The report was based on a survey of over 1,000 Hong Kong residents aged between 18 and 55 conducted in February this year.