Only 8% of U.S. consumers say their personal data is adequately protected by the banks, retailers, and government agencies that hold it, according to a study CA Inc. released Wednesday.
Also, 79% of consumers said the frequent reports of data breaches have reduced their confidence in businesses and agencies.
The number of virus attacks fell 11% in the past year, but internal security breaches increased 42% in the past two years, according to the Islandia, N.Y., technology company's study. Forty-four percent of companies said they had experienced an internal breach in the past 12 months, compared with 15% in 2003.
The survey of 500 large U.S. companies and organizations and 400 consumers was conducted online and by phone by the Strategic Counsel.
"U.S. businesses and governments recognize it doesn't take much to shake consumer confidence, and they recognize the need to do all they can to assure consumers and constituents," Lina Liberti, a vice president in CA's security management unit, said in a press release.
