Quick summary: Alaska has been identified as the most vulnerable region for cybercrime in the US with victim rates reaching 354% above the national average, a disparity driven largely by inadequate regional legal protections and high data breach frequency. These findings highlight a critical need for public policy reform and improved healthcare practice regarding the protection of sensitive patient records, as national financial losses from data theft have surged towards 21 billion dollars annually. Strengthening state data protection laws and increasing public awareness are essential steps for safeguarding personal well being and mental health in a landscape where geographic location significantly dictates an individual’s digital safety.
Residents in Alaska face the highest risk of personal data theft in the US, according to a comprehensive study of cybercrime rates and data breaches.
The research, conducted by data engineering experts at DataCamp, comes amid heightened concern following the recent Booking.com security incident, which underscored the growing threat of international data theft. Using the latest FBI figures and an assessment of regional legal protections, the study highlights stark differences in digital safety across states.
Alaska recorded 914.7 cybercrime victims per 100,000 residents, far above the national average of 201.4. This places the state 354% higher than the US average.
How the risk was measured
Researchers evaluated states using three metrics to generate an overall safety score out of 100, where higher scores indicate lower risk
- Cybercrime victim rates per 100,000 residents
- Data breach frequency per 100,000 residents
- Strength of data protection laws
Across the US, the average state has a data protection law score of 3 and 0.25 data breaches per 100,000 residents. Many of the highest risk states fall below these benchmarks.
Highest risk states
Alaska ranks as the most vulnerable state, with a safety score of 15.79 and a data protection law score of one.
Maine follows with a score of 22.57. While it reports fewer victims than Alaska, it records 1.14 data breaches per 100,000 residents, which is 356% above the national average.
Wyoming ranks third with a score of 26.33 and 234.34 victims per 100,000 residents.
Massachusetts and Arizona complete the top five. Massachusetts has a stronger legal protection score of 3 but experiences breach rates 268% above the national average.
10 most at-risk states
- Alaska: 15.79 score, 914.70 victims, 0.27 breaches, law score 1
- Maine: 22.57 score, 152.10 victims, 1.14 breaches, law score 1
- Wyoming: 26.33 score, 234.34 victims, 0.34 breaches, law score 1
- Massachusetts: 30.39 score, 199.79 victims, 0.92 breaches, law score 3
- Arizona: 31.81 score, 265.17 victims, 0.17 breaches, law score 1
- Nevada: 32.52 score, 328.27 victims, 0.12 breaches, law score 1
- New York: 33.25 score, 183.61 victims, 0.28 breaches, law score 1
- Illinois: 33.34 score, 200.25 victims, 0.24 breaches, law score 1
- Florida: 33.45 score, 223.29 victims, 0.19 breaches, law score 1
- Georgia: 35.37 score, 177.11 victims, 0.25 breaches, law score 1
Safest states for data security
Nebraska ranks as the safest state, with a score of 83.94. Its cybercrime victim rate is 129.85 per 100,000 residents, which is 36% lower than the national average. The state also has a strong data protection law score of six.
Kentucky, Tennessee, Utah, and Iowa also rank among the safest. Kentucky reports a victim rate roughly one-third below the national average, while Iowa records just 0.09 breaches per 100,000 residents.
Additional states identified as relatively safe include Montana, Texas, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Mississippi reports the lowest number of cybercrime victims at 104.25 per 100,000 residents, while New Mexico records the fewest data breaches.
Rising financial impact
Martijn Theuwissen, a spokesperson from data camp, said Americans reported losing nearly $21 billion to cybercrime last year, marking a 26% increase.
“What stood out in our analysis was the sheer gap between states like Alaska and states like Nebraska,” Mr Theuwissen said. “It suggests that where you live can affect your risk of becoming a victim.”
The findings come as new research highlights Alaska as the highest risk US state for cybercrime following the sharp rise in reported losses.