Recent studies indicate that up to 65% of small businesses do not employ end-to-end data encryption software, despite a sharp rise in ransomware attacks. Surveys show this under-consumption is due to a lack of technical awareness among owners regarding the financial risks of data breaches. In response, the government launches a fully-funded national digital advisory campaign to educate business owners on the benefits of encryption.
On the basis of this information, data encryption software is best classified as:
A public good
A demerit good
A merit good
A free good
