Finns are confident in their information security skills, but there is room for improvement from the perspective of service development

Four out of five (78%) adults estimate that they are able to identify information security risks and scams online, reveals a study conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Positive assessments were linked in particular to internet user skills, but also to a high level of education. On the other hand, negative assessments of skills were especially presented by people who did not use electronic services independently and who had financial difficulties.

Using electronic social welfare and health care services caused fewer information security concerns in adults aged under 55, regardless of whether the respondent assessed their information security skills to be good. About one third (32%) of the respondent group experienced information security concerns, compared with 43% of those aged 55–74 and 45% of those aged over 74.

“At worst, the lack of information security skills can be an obstacle to taking up electronic services. If a person feels that their skills are inadequate and, in addition, the disclosure of personal data to an electronic service seems frightening, the motivation to learn new services is certainly not high”, says THL researcher Maiju Kyytsönen. 

The increasing offering of services aims for a more diverse user group, but does everyone have the required skills?

As a first, the study analysed the impact of functional limitations and depression on self-assessed information security skills. Both were linked to poorer assessments of one’s skills. Age was also connected to poorer assessments of skills, although a markedly more significant factor in terms of information security skills was general competence in internet use.

“The design of electronic social welfare and health care services should take into account their diverse user base. Some people have fewer resources to be mindful of information security when using the services and to reinforce and maintain their information security skills. An important development target would be how electronic services could respond to people’s concerns about the information security of personal data”, says Kyytsönen.

The survey was carried out as part of the FinSote population survey from September 2020 to February 2021. There were 6,034 survey respondents.

Further information

Research article:
The self-assessed information security skills of the Finnish population: A regression analysis

Contact information

Maiju Kyytsönen
Researcher
THL
tel. +358 29 524 7442
[email protected]

Questions concerning the Follow-up and evaluation of the information system services in social welfare and health care project:

Tuulikki Vehko 
Research Manager
THL
tel. +358 29 524 7321
[email protected]