NZ Security Index falls, Identity Theft a concern

New Zealand’s Unisys Security Index falls slightly with Identity Theft remaining a concern

The latest Unisys Security Index TM for New Zealand has recorded a slight fall against the previous results released in April this year.

The August 2007 Index fell 5 points to 108 and is at its lowest level since the Index was launched in New Zealand in September 2006.

Yet despite the fall Identity Theft and Financial Fraud issues continue to worry New Zealanders with high levels of the population saying they remain extremely or very concerned about these issues.

The Index results reflect the complex nature of security and its global and personal impacts across key areas including National, Financial, Internet and Personal Security.

The results for the individual indices for August are as follows:

1. National Security Index – 93
2. Financial Security Index – 125
3. Internet Security Index – 102
4. Personal Security Index – 111

The latest results show whilst New Zealanders overall are reasonably relaxed, there remain some areas which indicate raised levels of concern.

The Personal Security Index recorded the single largest decline, down 9 points from 120 in April 2007 to 111 in August 2007.

Much of this decline can be attributed to a drop in the number of New Zealanders who say they are extremely or very concerned about their personal safety over the next 6 months, down 6% to 17% in August 2007.

Additionally a 7 point drop in the National Security Index from 100 in April to 93 in August has also helped drive the overall New Zealand Unisys Security Index down.

Much of this decline can be attributed to New Zealanders becoming less concerned about the prospect of war or terrorism with 7% fewer saying that they were extremely or very concerned about this issue in August 2007.

The Top 3 concerns recorded in the August 2007 Unisys Security Index for New Zealand have changed with the No.3 position now reflecting concerns about online transactions. In April, this position was held by concerns about Internet Security relating to viruses and unsolicited emails.

For August 2007 the Top 3 ranked issues for New Zealanders are:

1. Other people obtaining credit card / debit card details
2. Unauthorized access to or misuse of personal information
3. Security of shopping / banking online

“New Zealanders take the security of their private information very personally,” says Brett Hodgson, Managing Director, Unisys New Zealand. “While there are steps people can take themselves to protect their personal and financial identity, organisations should note that consumer concern remains high.”

The Unisys Security Index provides a unique insight into the attitudes of New Zealanders on a wide range of security related issues.

Organisations and governments today confront potential security threats that didn’t exist a decade ago, or, if they did, were not seen as such a pressing concern. These security threats are global and their effects impact individuals on a daily basis. Unisys approach to security goes beyond ‘bits and bytes’ recognising that there are a broad set of political, economic and consumer forces that impact the security ‘ecosystem’. We believe that the most effective solutions are going to be those formed through collaboration across interests, sectors, borders and geographies.

For full details of all results of the Unisys Security Index for New Zealand, please go to www.unisyssecurityindex.co.nz.

About Unisys Asia Pacific
Unisys offers clients solutions for secure 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 services and solutions company. We provide consulting, systems integration, outsourcing and infrastructure services, combined with powerful enterprise server technology. We specialize in helping clients use information to create efficient, secure business operations that allow them to achieve their business goals. Our consultants and industry experts work with clients to understand their business challenges and create greater visibility into critical linkages throughout their operations. For more information, visit www.unisys.com.

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