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Australians Believe the Global Economic Crisis Will Make Them More at Risk of Identity Theft Unisys Security Index

Announcement posted by Unisys 16 Apr 2009

Majority of Australians looking for more assurance that their personal, financial and other information is protected against fraud in troubling economic times
 

Sydney, 16, April 2009: The majority of Australians say they believe the current economic crisis will increase their level risk of identity theft and related crime.

 

The results are from new research released as part of the Unisys Security Index™  which shows that concerns about internet security have risen amongst Australians.

 

In the data released today, 63 percent of Australians said they believed their personal risk level of identity theft and related crime would increase as a result of the global economic crisis. Only 3 percent of Australians believe their level of risk would decrease.

 

Reinforcing these results was a 7 point increase in the internet security index and a 4 point rise in concern about financial fraud, which helped move the Unisys Security Index slightly higher to 115 for the first survey for 2009.

 

“The global economic downturn is clearly starting to bite. The latest Unisys Security Index shows an increase in concerns about the security of online activities such as shopping and/or banking as well as growing concern about financial fraud; both issues which people perceive to be a greater risk in a declining economy,” said Vice President and General Manager of Unisys Asia Pacific, Andrew Barkla.

 

“In fact, two of the top three security issues of concern for Australians are directly related to identity theft and crime:

  1. Other people obtaining credit card / debit card details
  2. Unauthorised access to or misuse of personal information
  3. Australia’s national security in relation to war/terrorism

 

“Regardless of the reality of actual risk, it is a time in which Australians need greater overt assurances that their private and personal information is securely protected against fraudulent and criminal activity to build confidence in the measures that are in place,” said Mr. Barkla..

 

The Unisys Security Index for April 2009 stands at 115 points out of a maximum of 300 with 3 out of 4 indices recorded an increase in concern:

  • National Security – 115 (-1)
  • Financial Security – 125 (+3)
  • Internet Security -107 (+7)
  • Personal Security – 114 (+3)

 

Additional research was conducted as part of the latest Unisys Security Index to find out the impact of the global economic crisis upon the perception of risk held by Australians with regards to identity theft.

 

When asked what impact they believed the global economic crisis might have on their own personal level of risk of identity theft and related crime, Australians responded that they believed they would be more at risk.

  • Greatly Increase – 19%
  • Increase somewhat – 44%
  • Not change – 29%
  • Decrease somewhat – 2%
  • Greatly decrease – 1%

 

About the Unisys Security Index

The Unisys Security Index provides a unique insight into the attitudes of Australians on a wide range of security related issues.  Developed in conjunction with market research firm Newspoll the Unisys Security Index provides a regular, statistically robust measure gauging levels of concern about various aspects of security. The survey on which the latest Australian Unisys Security Index is based, was conducted nationally between 13 – 15 March 2009 by Newspoll using a nationally representative sample of 1,201 respondents aged 18 years and over.  All results have been post-weighted to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.  The study measures consumer perceptions on a scale of zero to 300, with 300 representing the highest level of perceived concern. For more information on the Unisys Security Index including additional resource material visit: www.unisyssecurityindex.com.au  

 

Unisys on Security

Organisations and governments today confront potential security threats that didn’t exist a decade ago.  A nation's sense of security is an important indicator of political, economic and consumer forces and their interdependence. Security threats are global and their effects impact individuals on a daily basis. Unisys approach to security goes beyond ‘bits and bytes’ recognising that the most effective solutions are going to be those formed through collaboration across interests.      

 

For more information on Unisys security offerings visit: www.unisys.com.au/services/security/index.htm    

 

About Unisys Asia Pacific

Unisys helps clients with solutions for their business operations by aligning technology with business strategy. Drawing on a history of industry innovation and expertise, Unisys provides specialised services, delivered by trusted consultants.  In Asia Pacific, Unisys delivers services and solutions through subsidiaries in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand and through distributors or resellers in other countries in the region.  For more information, visit www.unisys.com.   

 

About Unisys

Unisys is a worldwide information technology company. We provide a portfolio of IT services, software, and technology that solves critical problems for clients.  We specialize in helping clients secure their operations, increase the efficiency and utilization of their data centers, enhance support to their end users and constituents, and modernize their enterprise applications.  To provide these services and solutions, we bring together offerings and capabilities in outsourcing services, systems integration and consulting services, infrastructure services, maintenance services, and high-end server technology.  With more than 28,000 employees, Unisys serves commercial organizations and government agencies throughout the world.  For more information, visit www.unisys.com .


MEDIA CONTACT
Claire Hosegood, claire.hosegood@au.unisys.com, 0411 253 663