The Most Cybersecurity-Savvy States

According to a recent study conducted by the patch management software company NinjaOne, Virginia emerges as the top state in terms of online searches related to cybersecurity. NinjaOne analyzed Google search data, focusing on a range of cybersecurity keywords for each state, and then juxtaposed this information with the population of each state to identify which one exhibits the highest interest in cybersecurity-related topics.

1. Virginia

Virginia tops the list of states searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics, with an average of 654.78 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. Overall, Virginians made an average of 56,858 monthly searches for cybersecurity-related topics.

Overall, scams were the cybersecurity-related topic that took Virginians’ interest the most, with scams and related terms generating an average of 12,128 searches each month. A scam happens when an attacker deceives their target into giving money for something which was not as advertised or did not fulfil the role it was advertised to fulfil. As digital devices have become more and more common, scammers have created scams to prey on this area, with a particular focus on targeting vulnerable individuals like seniors who may not be as savvy about these types of digital scams. 

2. Maryland

Second for the states searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics is Maryland, with an average of 625.04 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. Marylanders made an overall average of 38,532 monthly searches for cybersecurity-related topics.

A cyber-security topic that ranked highly for Marylanders was phishing, with phishing and its related terms generating an average of 5,025 monthly searches overall. Phishing is a type of cyberattack where scammers attempt to trick users into doing the “wrong thing” in simple terms. This may be clicking a link to download malware or inputting login details to a fraudulent website, to name two examples.

3. Massachusetts

In third for the states searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics is Massachusetts, with an average of 586.7 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. The Bay State made an average of 40,963 monthly searches for cybersecurity-related topics.

Bay Staters made an average of 12,245 monthly searches for antivirus software, firewalls, and related topics. This interest in ways to protect against cyberattacks is especially prudent since effective antivirus software helps prevent users from making costly mistakes, as well as helping to clean up any malware that may have been accidentally installed.

4. Georgia

With an average of 576.6 monthly searches per 100,000 residents, Georgia is fourth for the state searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics. Georgians searched cybersecurity topics an average of 62,924 times monthly overall.

5. Florida

Florida is fifth for the states searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics, with an average of 576.56 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. Floridians made an average of 128,254 monthly searches for cybersecurity-related topics overall.

6. New York

New York is sixth for the states searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics, with an average of 576.07 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. New Yorkers searched cybersecurity-related topics an average of 113,355 each month overall.

7. Colorado

Sitting seventh for the states searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics is Colorado, with an average of 575.85 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. The Centennial State made an average of 33,629 monthly searches for cybersecurity-related topics overall.

8. Kansas

With an average of 575.84 monthly searches per 100,000 residents, Kansas is eighth for the states searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics. Kansans searched an average of 16,913 times each month for cybersecurity-related topics.

9. Washington

Washington is ninth for the states searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics, with an average of 572.7 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. Washingtonians made an overall average of 44,589 monthly searches for cybersecurity-related topics.

10. Hawaii 

Rounding out the top ten in tenth for the states searching the most for cybersecurity-related topics is Hawaii, with an average of 572.55 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. The Aloha State made an average of 8,246 monthly searches overall for cybersecurity-related topics. 

A spokesperson for NinjaOne commented on the findings:

“Data is one of the most valuable commodities in our interconnected world, and it pays dividends to keep it safe with proper cybersecurity practices. 

“Keeping software up to date by patching security vulnerabilities and ensuring sensitive data is only accessible to those who need it are two ways to minimize the risk of costly cyberattacks. 

“Keeping abreast of what is happening in the world of cybersecurity can also provide crucial insights on cybersecurity best practices. Virginia seems to agree with this, as they are the state that has the highest number of cybersecurity-related searches per 100,000 residents.”