ESET has announced its global Financial Technology (FinTech) research, surveying over 10,000 consumers and senior business leaders. All the respondents were asked a series of questions on the topics of financial technology, cybersecurity and their impacts on securing finances in a COVIDian world, particularly in light of the coronavirus lockdowns.

The project seeks to examine a range of themes in relation to experiences with Financial Technology for both consumers and businesses, including concerns around the security of finances, transactions and financial data, current FinTech application usage and attitudes, and business perspectives on the future of FinTech solutions in a post-COVID world.

The consumer segment of the survey has revealed that 40% of consumers worldwide use between one and three FinTech applications, but only half of these have security software installed on all their personal devices. In addition, 62% of these use a password manager to assist with logging in to their financial accounts. In comparison, only 22% of consumers worldwide could be classed as “FinTech adopters,” using four or more Financial Technology applications. Of the FinTech adopters, a notably higher 63% protect all their devices with security software. As our lives become increasingly digitized and we embark on COVID recovery journeys, it is imperative that the devices and technologies we use to share our most sensitive financial information are protected to the highest standard.

Financial Technology will play a critical role in personal and societal economic recovery in the wake of COVID-19, and it has never been more important that FinTech solutions are adequately protected. The safety and security of consumers and businesses is central to ESET’s core values, and the global survey has been undertaken in order to pinpoint the emerging and current technologies that are central to people’s lives and the attitudes they hold towards them. The wider study investigates other technologies, including cryptocurrencies and bitcoin, blockchain, online-only banking and more.

Ignacio Sbampato, Chief Business Officer at ESET, commented, “We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of technological innovation and security insights, and this project is a reflection of that. Our global Financial Technology survey will enable us to explore attitudes towards emerging and established technology and inform our offerings to both consumers and businesses to ensure they are always protected to the highest standard. We want to help people, both personally and professionally, to understand and combat the risks that come with using any kind of technology, and to do that, we must keep our finger on the pulse of global technology trends.”