Security issues a key priority for Singaporeans according to
benchmark Unisys Security Index
Singapore, 03 October, 2006 - More Singaporeans are concerned about
identity theft such as misuse of personal information and credit
card theft than they are about terrorism, war and epidemics,
according to the benchmark Unisys Security Index.
Conducted by Synovate for IT Services company Unisys, the survey
has been developed as regular measure of levels of concern held by
Singaporeans towards a range of security issues across four areas
of National, Financial, Internet and Personal Security.
The nature of security has changed dramatically over the last
decade. In order for businesses and governments to respond to this
changing environment it is important to understand the levels and
types of concern in the community towards security issues, said
Scott Whyman, Vice President and Managing Director, Unisys Asia
South.
The benchmark Singapore Security Index indicates that the number
one concern is misuse of personal information, followed by other
people obtaining credit or debit card information, and thirdly,
concerns about a serious health epidemic occurring in
Singapore.
The benchmark Singapore Unisys Security Index stands at 173 out of
300. With a mid-way point of 150/300, the Singapore Index suggests
that levels of concern are somewhat elevated. That said, this is
the benchmark Index and we need to see future comparative data to
put this rating in context, he said.
In comparison, the equivalent Index results for Australia and New
Zealand were 126 and 114 respectively however it was the same as
Malaysia which also scored 173.
The index is achieved by averaging the results of the four key
survey areas.
The individual indices and their results are as follows:
National Security 186/300
Financial Security 184/300
Internet Security 136/300
Personal Security 187/300
Some of the key results for the inaugural Singapore Unisys Security
Survey and Index include:
81% or an estimated 1.9million people said they were extremely or
very concerned about unauthorized access to or misuse of their
personal information.
80% or an estimated 1.9million Singaporeans said they were either
extremely or very concerned about unauthorized access to or misuse
of their Credit/Debit card details.
73% or an estimated 1.8million Singaporeans were extremely or
very concerned about a health epidemic.
66% or an estimated 1.6million people said they were extremely or
very concerned about the threat posed by war or terror
attack.
59% or an estimated 1.4million Singaporeans said they were
extremely or very concerned about meeting their essential financial
obligations including housing rental and other bills.
Following release of the initial benchmark result, the Singapore
Unisys Security Index will be undertaken three times annually from
2007.
The Unisys Security Survey and Index is a direct reflection of
Unisys strategic focus on secure business operations, Scott Whyman
said.
Collaboration on security initiatives can create convenience for
consumers, reduce costs, promote commerce and improve delivery of
public services, he said.
