Press Releases

Internet Connections

In 2019, high speed internet connections have increased significantly. Almost one out of two enterprises (49,3%) with 10 or more employees in Cyprus has internet connection with speeds higher than 30Mbit/s compared to 35,4% in 2018. (Figure 1, Table 1) 

E-Commerce Sales

In 2018, 13,0% of all enterprises received orders for goods and services via websites or “apps”. 12,0% of all enterprises received orders for goods and services via the enterprise’s own websites or “apps” while 5,4% received orders via e-commerce marketplace websites or “apps” used by several enterprises for trading products. E-Commerce sales are most common among enterprises of the Accommodation and Food and Beverage Services related activities section (Nace Rev. 2 Section I) and Wholesale and Retail trade section (Nace Rev. 2, Section G). 33,7% of enterprises in Section I and 13,7% of enterprises in Section G received orders for goods and services via websites or apps. (Figure 2) 

*Description of NACE codes provided in Annex 1

Social Media and Use of Voice or Video Call Apps

73,0% of enterprises with 10 or more employees in Cyprus use Social Media. Social networks (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn etc.) are the most popular amongst enterprises (71,3%). Blogs or microblogs like Twitter is the second choice (28,7%) while multimedia content sharing websites such as YouTube, Flickr, etc, follow with 28,2%. Wiki based knowledge sharing tools are used by 4,7% of enterprises. (Figure 3)

Voice or video call applications over the internet are used by 53,6% of enterprises. In large enterprises that percentage reaches 78,9%. (Figure 3)

Use of ICT Security

82,9% of all enterprises declared that they use one or more security measures to ensure the integrity, authenticity, availability and confidentiality of their data and information systems. Some of the most common security measures used by enterprises are strong password authentication, up to date software, biometric methods of user identification and authentication, data backup (cloud), network access control, etc. In large enterprises that percentage reaches 100% in medium 96,8% and in small 80,4%.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Specialists

In 2019, 23,1% of enterprises (10+) employ ICT specialists. 82,0% of large enterprises employ ICT specialists compared to 47,1% and 18,2% of medium and small enterprises respectively. 10,9% of all enterprises recruited or tried to recruit ICT specialists during 2018 with almost half of them (4,8%) facing difficulties in filling those vacancies. (Table 2) 

METHODOLOGICAL NOTES

Aim

The aim of the survey is to collect data about the use of information and communication technologies by the enterprises, the use of computers, the employment of ICT specialists, the access and use of the internet, the sharing of information electronically within the enterprise, ICT security and e-commerce. These data are necessary for the implementation of policy programmes of both the Government and the private sector.

Coverage

The survey took place during January-May, 2019 and covered 1.880 enterprises with 10 or more employees in the following economic activities:

 The survey covers all the Government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Sampling

The sampling method used was stratified random sampling. Two variables were used for the stratification, NACE group (16 NACE groups) and Size (3 Size groups: Small enterprises (10-49 employees), Medium enterprises (50-249 employees) and Large enterprises (250+ employees)).

Data Collection

The data collection was conducted with the use of a web based questionnaire and through personal interviews with the IT manager of the enterprise. 

Reference Period

The data refer to 2019 unless otherwise stated.

Definitions

High speed internet connection: Internet connection where the maximum download speed according to the contract with the internet service provider is greater than 30Mbit/s.

Electronic commerce (e-Commerce): An e-Commerce transaction is the sale or purchase of goods or services, conducted over computer networks by methods specifically designed for the purpose of receiving or placing of orders.

Enterprises using social media: Enterprises that have a user profile, an account or a user license depending on the requirements and the type of the social media.

Computers: Includes personal computers, portable computers (e.g. laptops, notebooks, netbooks), tablets, other portable devices like Smartphones.

ICT specialists: Employees for whom ICT is their main job. For example, they are responsible for the development, operation or maintenance of ICT systems or applications. 

Website: Location on the World Wide Web identified by a Web address.

Further information:

Survey Results –Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Usage and E-Commerce in Enterprises Survey, 2019

Statistical Service (CYSTAT) Website, subtheme Information Society

Contact

Constantinos Minas: Tel.: +35722602112, Email: cmina@cystat.mof.gov.cy

Eleni Christodoulidou: Tel.: +35722602142, Email: echristodoulidou@cystat.mof.gov.cy

(MG/II)