According to data collected by NordVPN, the Holy See ranks highest among countries with the highest levels of cybersecurity literacy, while the Philippines ranks 27th.
NordVPN, a provider of cybersecurity and virtual private network (VPN) services, conducted an assessment of individuals’ cybersecurity proficiency through the National Privacy Test. The evaluation encompassed theoretical concepts, the ability to recognize potential cybercrimes, and appropriate response strategies.
The study involved 140,000 participants from 192 countries. The rankings indicate that nine out of the top 10 countries are from Europe, with Vatican City leading the list. The denizens of the autonomous city-state attained a cumulative score of 72 points, indicating a commendable comprehension of cybersecurity issues and adeptness in taking cautious measures to address them.
The countries of Finland and the Czech Republic have been ranked lower in the score, but nevertheless received a commendable evaluation with regards to the digital privacy awareness, digital habits, and digital risk of their respective populations.
Singapore is the sole Asian country to have achieved a position in the top 10, with a score of 69 points. The United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, along with other Asian countries, obtained a score of 67 points.
However, despite exceeding the global average, the Philippines’ score of 66 positions it in the 27th rank.
Brazil, the United States of America, and New Zealand are currently ranked as the top countries in their respective continents of South America, North America, and Oceania.
In general, the study indicates that although many participants are adept at recognizing and mitigating digital risks, a minority, comprising less than half of the total population, remain unfamiliar with online services and privacy tools that can safeguard their data.