A survey by imec shows that not every Flemish feels equally confident when dealing with technology. One in four states that they have insufficient knowledge and skills.

Imec’s annual Digimeter measures how the Flemish use technology. Some research also questions the knowledge and skills of the average person. It’s not just about being able to work with digital applications, but also about using them safely and protecting personal data. And that’s where the shoe pinches.

One in four respondents believes that they do not have sufficient knowledge and skills to navigate online spheres safely. The Flemish citizen is generally concerned about what happens to his personal data, but does not always know how to protect it. This can lead to distrust of new technologies. A side note on this statistic is that the Digimeter is based on self-assessment and not objective observation.

Vulnerable to cyber attacks

In addition, these numbers are worrying as more and more Belgian households and businesses are exposed to cybercrime. Current figures from the federal police show that four out of ten Belgians have already been victims of phishing. Phishing also remains a popular method for hacking corporate accounts. So companies would do well to invest in cyber security training.

A security principle that is gradually gaining ground is two-factor authentication. 62 percent of the Flemings surveyed know what it is. Knowing a technology doesn’t automatically mean using it, however, with less than half relying on 2FA to secure their accounts. So there is still work to be done in this respect.