More than half of Irish consumers would stop buying from an online retailer following a cyber-attack, according to a new survey.
Just over a third of shoppers say they would make an informed decision based on the circumstances, while one in ten say they would be willing to return if the retailer resolved the issue quickly.
The research, carried out for insurance broker Gallagher in Ireland, reveals that women are more forgiving than men.
It found that 38% of female shoppers would "weigh up the circumstances" before making a decision on cutting ties, compared to 29% of male counterparts.
9% of men say they would "definitely" not go back to an impacted retailer, compared to 4% of women.
While 16% of male respondents said they would "absolutely" stop shopping with the retailer compared to 10% of females.
1,000 adults nationwide were surveyed as part of the cyber crime fallout study.
When asked what actions a retailer would have to take to rebuild trust following a cyber attack, 68% of the respondents cited clear communication on the issue.
58% said the implementation of stronger security would help to rebuild trust, with a quarter of those surveyed recommending compensation.
The Managing Director of Commercial Lines in Gallagher said the findings show just "how important trust is" for online retailers.
Laura Vickers said the stark reality for retailers is that "the fallout from a cyber attack isn't just technical, it can also severely damage brand reputation and customer relationships".
"What our data does suggest is that retailers with clear crisis management strategies, and the ability to respond quickly and communicate openly, stand a far better chance of holding onto customer trust and loyalty in the aftermath of a security breach."
The survey also found that those living in Connacht and Ulster were most likely to avoid shopping with an online retailer that has suffered a cyber attack at 55%.
It compared to 52% of consumers in Munster, 49% in Dublin, and 37% in Leinster.
