IoT Users Demand more Security, finds a Recent Survey

Smart devices and IoT ecosystems though enticing to users but are also susceptible to remote hacking attempts on the Internet and users are concerned about their data security and privacy. Users of IoT devices connected to the internet are looking for solutions that build confidence in those devices with "Seal" or "Stamp of Approval" finds a recent BlackBerry survey.

Most of the consumer devices and utilities have become smart, connected to the internet, including cars, drones, health monitors, TVs, security cameras, smart speakers etc.  Atomik Research was commissioned by BlackBerry. The online survey includes 4,010 adults in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The margin of error fell within +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence interval of 95 percent. The fieldwork took place between December 11 and 12, 2018.

Key findings from the survey

• The respondents from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada do not trust their current Internet-connected devices to secure their data and privacy. This percentage is 80% of respondents from these countries.
• Respondents are looking towards companies with a strong reputation in data security and privacy for their stamp of approval for the security of their internet-connected IoT devices.
• To secure data and privacy, almost 58% of respondents are willing to pay a premium for the security of their Internet-connected products such as Alexa-speakers, home security products, wearable etc. The 10% of respondents willing to pay up to 20% for security where the majority preferred 10% or less.
• Majority of respondents are willing to pay more to know and further understand their connected car/vehicle used the highest safety and security software. The announcement of this survey noted that, according to Kelley Blue Book, the estimated average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $35,742 in September 2018, which means the 23% of respondents that said they would pay up to five percent more for their car to use safe and secure software would spend an additional $1,700 at the dealership. Ten percent of respondents were willing to pay up to 20% (approximately $7,000).
• As far as voice-based assistants go, the 25% respondents use Google Assistant, 19% respondents use Apple's Siri, 16% respondents use Amazon's Alexa, 5% respondents use Microsoft's Cortana and 3% use IBM's Watson. The 32 % of respondents said they are using neither of the listed assistants, with most votes coming from people over the age of 54. Notably, only 20% of millennials chose 'none of the above.'
• Around one-third (36%) respondents do not know about what security certifications to look for when purchasing an Internet-connected device.
• Another interesting fact that come to fore was, around 23% of respondents said they do not restrict the data they allow their Internet-connected device to access through features or apps, and 17% admitted that they don't know how to restrict the data.