New report reveals the countries most (& least) at risk of cyber threats - the UK is the 5th lowest risk country

New research reveals the countries across the globe that are the most (and least) at risk of cybercrime threats - and it’s good news for the UK.

The digital revolution has opened up a world of risk. With everyone just a click away, it has never been easier for criminals to find unsuspecting victims.

To find out if the dangers of cybercrime are equally spread across the globe, the anti-fraud experts at SEON combined cybersecurity indices and indicators, to reveal the countries that are the most (and least) risky for internet users.

The lowest risk countries for cyber threats:

Rank	Country	National Cyber Security Index	Global Cybersecurity Index 2020	Basel AML Index 2020	Cybersecurity Exposure Index (CEI) 2020	Cyber Legislation Rating	Cyber Safety Score
1	Denmark	84.42	92.6	3.46	0.117	13.00	8.91
2	Germany	80.52	97.41	4.42	0.241	17.00	8.76
3	United States	79.22	100	4.57	0.145	15.00	8.73
4	Norway	62.34	96.89	3.19	0.134	12.00	8.46
5	United Kingdom	77.92	99.54	4.02	0.207	12.00	8.44
6	Canada	66.23	97.67	4.68	0.207	16.00	8.35
7	Sweden	57.14	94.55	3.32	0.21	13.00	8.22
8	Australia	66.23	97.47	3.84	0.131	10.00	8.16
9	Japan	63.64	97.82	5.16	0.138	14.00	8.09
10	Netherlands	81.82	97.05	4.56	0.262	10.00	8.00

The UK ranked 5th with a Cyber-Safety Score of 8.44/10, demonstrating the high levels of technology and cybercrime legislation protection in place for the country. The UK scored particularly highly in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2020, scoring 99.54/100, and also in the National Cyber Security Index (77.92/100).

Denmark is the most digitally secure country, with an overall Cyber-Safety Score of 8.91. Denmark scored highly in both featured cyber security indices, and did particularly well on the Cybersecurity Exposure Index, scoring just 0.117.

Germany took the medal for second, with a Cyber-Safety Score of 8.76. Germany is generally very safe for internet users, as a result of its high Global Cybersecurity Index score combined with comprehensive laws and regulations.

The United States placed third in the rankings with a Cyber-Safety Score of 8.73. This high score was helped by the USA getting the highest score in the Global Cybersecurity Index.

The research also revealed the countries most at risk of cybercrime threats.

The highest risk countries for cyber threats:

Rank	Country	National Cyber Security Index	Global Cybersecurity Index 2020	Basel AML Index 2020	Cybersecurity Exposure Index (CEI) 2020	Cyber Legislation Rating	Cyber Safety Score
1	Myanmar	10.39	36.41	7.86	0.91	2.00	2.22
2	Cambodia	15.58	19.12	7.1	0.703	2.00	2.67
3	Honduras	10.39	2.2	5.54	0.603	4.00	3.13
4	Bolivia	28.57	16.14	6.2	0.783	4.00	3.21
5	Mongolia	18.18	26.2	6.24	0.738	4.00	3.25
6	Algeria	33.77	33.95	6.74	0.721	2.00	3.41
7	Zimbabwe	15.58	36.49	6.54	0.724	5.00	3.42
8	Nicaragua	22.08	9	6.78	0.6	7.00	3.43
9	Bosnia and Herzegovina	1.54	29.44	5.63	0.583	4.00	3.46
10	El Salvador	19.48	13.3	4.87	0.617	2.00	3.51

Myanmar is the worst country for internet safety, scoring just 2.22. Myanmar scores poorly across the board, especially in terms of legislation, as hardly any has been enacted to put barriers in the way of cybercriminals.

In second place is Cambodia, which earned a Cyber-Safety Score of 2.67 overall. Another Southeast Asian nation with poor internet security.

Further Study Insights:

In 2019, it was estimated that fraud cost the global economy an incredible 5.127 trillion dollars per year.

You can view the full research including the full Global Cyber-Safety Index by clicking here.

Published: 25 October 2021