What did we research?
In April 2023, we shared a questionnaire about cybersecurity for cultural organizations. To gain insight into the current state of affairs in the cultural sector, we asked about their experiences with cybersecurity.
Are cultural professionals aware of digital security? Do they know what to pay attention to when dealing with systems, devices, and (personal) data? And have their organizations faced cybercrime in recent years?
With this questionnaire, we map awareness around this topic and take steps to increase it. Awareness of the risks is an important step toward a digitally secure sector.
The Research
120 organizations partially or fully completed our survey. Our research provides an indicative picture of how the Dutch cultural sector is affected by cybercrime. Both small and large institutions are represented in the results. They have been equally affected by cybersecurity issues, according to the findings.
Nearly 1 in 3 cultural organizations has experienced a cyber incident.
The Key Findings at a Glance
Most organizations are aware of digital security. 73% of respondents indicate that they handle systems, devices, and (personal) data carefully.
However, not all organizations are prepared for a cyberattack. The results show that:
- 65% of organizations do not allocate a budget for cybersecurity
- 42% of organizations lack a cybersecurity policy and do not share knowledge with employees about preventing data breaches
- 36% of organizations do not have a manual available on how to handle cybersecurity
- 25% of respondents do not regularly change their passwords
- 3 out of 10 organizations have experienced a cybercrime incident in the past 3 years. For 1 in 20 organizations, this has happened more than once
Focusing on Cybersecurity for a Future-Proof Sector
Two-thirds of organizations internally manage confidential data such as customer and employee personal data. A data breach can harm both the company's reputation and potentially result in financial damage. Yet, only 35% of organizations allocate a budget for cybersecurity measures. DEN believes this must change to create a secure and future-proof sector.
Cybersecurity is essential in an increasingly digital sector.
Support in Digital Security
What needs exist in the sector regarding cybersecurity? Nearly half of the respondents indicate a need for education and knowledge sharing about cybersecurity in their organization. The digital world is dynamic and constantly evolving. New digital developments also offer cybercriminals new opportunities to infiltrate systems. Expert support based on the latest knowledge and information is therefore crucial to make cultural organizations resilient against cybercrime.
Checklist for Digital Security for Cultural Organizations
Digital security is important for everyone, whether you are a large or small organization. But how do you protect yourself against cybercrime? DEN provides 8 tips in our Checklist for Digital Security for Cultural Organizations. By taking action, your organization becomes less vulnerable to digital incidents and better prepared if something does happen.
Read all the results of the DEN Cyber Security Scan
Society and the cultural sector are becoming increasingly digital. This raises new questions, including cybersecurity. DEN investigated the current situation to map out the risks and identify the needs. The findings provide an indication and offer insights into what we can do to ensure that culture remains secure and accessible.
More articles per topic
