Read the following passage about Cybersecurity and Privacy in the Digital Age and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indic...

Read the following passage about Cybersecurity and Privacy in the Digital Age and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

Cybersecurity and Privacy in the Digital Age

In recent years, the world has witnessed a marked increase in cyber-attacks and large-scale data breaches as more individuals and organisations rely on digital platforms. According to a global survey, fewer than two per cent of companies have fully implemented cyber-resilience strategies, while the average cost of a serious data breach now exceeds 3.3 million US dollars. This worrying figure illustrates how many institutions remain vulnerable, often because they lack strong security frameworks or fail to invest sufficiently in protective measures.

The challenge has become even greater with the rapid rise of cloud computing, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). While these technologies provide efficiency and flexibility, they also broaden the “attack surface”. Cloud-based threats, third-party breaches, and sophisticated leak-and-hack operations are among the key concerns for security specialists in 2025. As organisations race to make use of digital tools, many overlook the need to secure confidential information, leaving personal data - from financial records to private messages - increasingly exposed.

The risks are not limited to the private sector. In areas such as banking and finance, digital transformation has created serious privacy challenges. Recent research suggests that although banks seek to modernise their services through cloud, AI, and blockchain, many still struggle to ensure both privacy protection and cybersecurity. Customers’ confidence can be seriously damaged if institutions fail to safeguard their data, especially in a world that depends heavily on digital financial services.

The constantly evolving nature of cyber threats makes the task even more complex. Experts warn that AI itself, although useful in defence, may also become a tool for criminals. In several regions, security authorities predict an increase in more advanced, AI-driven attacks, including supply-chain intrusions and cloud-native vulnerabilities. As a result, data privacy is no longer only a technical matter but also one of trust, ethics, and institutional responsibility.

                                (Adapted from “Global Digital Trust Insights 2025”)

Question 23. Which of the following best expresses the meaning of the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. As customers rely less on digital financial platforms, they often doubt institutions that attempt to protect their personal information more strictly.

B. Although digital financial services are becoming less important, customers still trust institutions that fail to secure their personal data effectively.

C. When organisations cannot ensure proper protection of personal information, customers may lose faith in them, particularly as modern financial activities rely so strongly on digital systems.

D. When financial institutions request greater digital access from customers, people tend to become less confident, even though these services are not widely used in today’s world.