PRESS RELEASE
18th October 2023

1 in 5 might switch internet service providers for better online security

F‑Secure will expand the Sense partner program with a new router security certification at Network X, the world’s most comprehensive B2B tele­communications industry event.

Helsinki, Finland – October 18, 2023: Up to 20% of a typical internet service provider’s user base is at risk if the customers aren’t satisfied with by the provider’s online security offering, finds a new report from F‑Secure, a global leader in simplifying consumer security.*

The report Putting a price on smart home protection finds that most consumers (55%) expect their ISPs to keep them safe online. Of that group, more than one-third (36%) say that they’re at least likely to leave for another provider offering better protection at the same price and speed.

That means that 1 in 5 consumers, the equivalent to tens of millions of house­holds in the United States alone, would at least consider switching their ISP to find better security.**

This is both a huge risk and a tremendous opportunity for providers, who can entice competitors’ customers away with a stronger security proposition, said Tom Gaffney, Principal Consultant at F‑Secure. The F‑Secure Sense Partner program has proven to be an appealing and expedient way to enable value to router and Wi‑Fi offerings with best-in-class cyber security.

The roster of leading Wi‑Fi router and home gate­way manufacturers participating in the program has grown over the past year to include some of the biggest names in the industry. ADB, Actiontec, COMTREND, Heimgard, KAON, Nokia, Sercomm, Vantiva, and Zyxel now all produce devices that can quickly deploy and integrate F‑Secure Sense.

To improve scalability, reliability and time to market, we’re introducing a new router certification program at Network X in Paris, Tom Gaffney said. If a device is F‑Secure Sense Certified, your customers will know it meets the high standard of delivering protection against cyber threats for every internet-connected device in their homes. It’s that simple.

Customers now consider online security and privacy as important as high speed when choosing a home gate­way or Wi‑Fi router, the report also finds. Notably, the share of consumers who would purchase security and privacy services from their internet service provider has grown from 60% in 2018 to 64% in 2021 to 69% in 2023.

What’s clear is that consumers want the peace of mind of knowing their connected devices are protected at home or on the go, without any hassles — and more than ever, they’re looking to their ISPs to get that relief, said Paula Al-Soufi, Director, Port­folio Strategy & Marketing at F‑Secure. That’s why we’re committed to providing holistic security solutions that allow our partners to seamlessly protect their consumers anywhere.

Find out more about F‑Secure’s partner approach to connected home security. Anyone who will be attending Network X can plan to meet with F‑Secure.

*Source: F‑Secure Global Connected Home Survey, June 2023. 4400 total respondents from 11 countries: Brazil, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States. (N = 400/country, age 25–74 years.)

**Recent research finds that 90% of US house­holds get internet service in their homes. The US Census estimates there are 124,010,992 house­holds in the country. 1 in 5 house­holds would be the equivalent of nearly 25 million homes.