Description
It’s no surprise that Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z see and use technology very differently. For some, it’s been an evolution, but a growing number of people in the workforce have simply never known anything else. This can have a significant impact on the way each generation sees crucial subjects such as cyber security.
The Gen X generation is what experts often refer to as “digital immigrants.” Technology wasn’t always a part of their work, and they’ve had to adapt over the years. They often learned about cyber threats by falling victim to them and have had to develop their own tricks and habits since cyber security departments were rare when they entered the workforce.
Millennials are in an odd situation technology-wise. They weren’t all digital natives, and while most had computers at home, social media was a later addition to their lives. In terms of work, however, they are definitely digital natives, and computers have always been present in their workplaces.
The definition of digital native truly starts with Gen Z. In most cases, members of Gen Z generation don’t remember a time when technology wasn’t a major fix of their lives. However, a large portion of their exposure to technology has been through smartphones. They embrace new platforms faster than other generations but are often less well-versed with desktops. They communicate primarily through social media platforms such as Snapchat, often exchanging their username instead of their phone number when they meet someone new. However, growing up with technology doesn’t mean you automatically understand it. In fact, it seems like it might have been too normalized for their generation.
Gen Z’s technological knowledge is heavily influenced by smartphones and social media applications, making them ill-equipped to detect phishing attacks via email or spoofed websites. They are also the most likely generation to ignore mandated IT updates until the last minute and reuse passwords for personal and work accounts. They often have had less cyber security training than other generations and feel much more secure online overall. So how do we help a generation who loves technology – but may not be fully aware of some of the pitfalls or ‘dark-side’ of social media and other tools.
Find out more in this episode as Cyber Security and Privacy Expert Kaushik Pandya explains: What is the difference between Cybersecurity and Privacy? Why have these topics gained so much attention and what are the implications on Gen Z generation? What are some the basic tips to become more cyber secure? What can employers do create good security and privacy habits into Gen Z employees. How do they sustain these habits?
