A new international study reveals New Zealanders have a positive attitude towards cybersecurity, but are wary of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) has released the results of its annual “Oh Behave!” survey, which collected responses from more than 6,500 people in seven countries, including New Zealand, the United States , Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and India.
According to the study, New Zealanders demonstrate promising cybersecurity behavior. Thirty-five percent of respondents said they always back up their important data, the highest rate among the countries surveyed. Additionally, 69% of New Zealanders said they “always” or “very often” check for signs of phishing before clicking on links. Only 35% of New Zealand participants found cybersecurity intimidating, the lowest percentage among the countries surveyed. As a result, more than 60% believe that being safe online is possible and worth it.
Michael Jagusch, Director of Mission Enablement at the NCSC, sees the results as very positive for New Zealand. “The overall results show that, compared to other countries, New Zealanders are more confident online and know that being safe online is not a difficult thing to do,” Jagusch said. It also noted that New Zealanders are less likely to assume their devices are automatically secure, with only 38% sharing this belief. “It’s encouraging to see,” he added.
However, the study also identified a slight degree of complacency. Less than half of New Zealanders surveyed believe they could be victims of cybercrime. At the same time, only 23% do not see the need to protect their data. Jagusch noted: “These results are consistent with other studies we have done which show that a small group of New Zealanders simply don’t think cybercrime will happen to them. This is where the NCSC has a role to play in educating people about the risks and ensuring they know how to protect themselves through simple actions.
The survey also focused on the rise of AI tools, reflecting New Zealanders’ unease with the technology. Only 48% of New Zealand respondents felt confident in their ability to identify AI-generated content, the lowest level of confidence among the countries surveyed. Additionally, only 28% of New Zealand participants were willing to share sensitive business information with an AI tool, and only 47% trusted businesses to implement AI responsibly.
Lisa Plaggemier, executive director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance, commented on concerns about AI-related cybercrime. “The growing concern about AI-related cybercrime reflects an increased awareness of the digital threats we face,” she said. She noted that more than half (56%) of international participants do not use AI tools and a majority (55%) of those who do use AI are not trained on the associated risks. “It is clear that more education and resources are needed. We must continue to offer clear and practical advice to help individuals understand and manage the risks associated with AI, ensuring they can protect themselves and their families in an increasingly digital world,” concluded Plaggetier.
The full report is available on the NCSC website and provides in-depth insight into cybersecurity attitudes and behaviors in the countries surveyed.
