Privacy Awareness Week Highlights Security Issues

Privacy Awareness Week highlights personal security issues and risks of online social networking

As more people connect online Unisys Security Index research shows 6 out of 10 New Zealanders now extremely or very worried about misuse or unauthorised access to personal information.

The popularity of online social networking in New Zealand hasn’t eroded fears of identity-based crime according to research by Unisys, released as part of Privacy Awareness Week which runs 3-9 May 2009.

Unisys Security Index™ research undertaken by Consumer Link shows hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders hold high levels of concern about a range of identity security issues.

More New Zealanders are now very or extremely concerned about financial fraud – one of the most common identity related crimes – compared to December last year. Now an estimated 1.8 million New Zealanders are very or extremely concerned about other people obtaining and/or using their credit card details, an estimated increase of 220,000 people compared to last December.

Similarly, an estimated 1.8 million New Zealanders are very or extremely concerned about misuse or unauthorised access to their personal information – up by an estimated 290,000 people.

“While online social networking is becoming even more popular, concerns about identity based crimes in New Zealand are continuing to grow,” said Unisys Security spokesperson, Mike Webber.

“With Privacy Awareness Week’s focus on security of information together with privacy and safety of young people online – it is important to call attention to the potential identity risks involved in online social networking and what can be done about them.

“New Zealand is 17th out of the top 20 Facebook countries around the globe with more than 768,000 users in April 2009 . Bebo is also particularly popular for young Kiwis and ranked 1st in March in terms of unique visitors with 909,000 with a 63 percent share of the total social networking page views in New Zealand in March of this year.

“Meanwhile an estimated 89 percent of New Zealanders say they are not comfortable providing personal information to social networking websites , yet they may be doing so unwittingly,” said Mr Webber

At the same time, fear of identity-based crime shows no signing of easing according to the latest Unisys Security Index research which recorded the following results:
• An estimated 1.8 million New Zealanders are very or extremely concerned about other people obtaining and or using their credit cards or debit card details; 58 percent of New Zealanders.
• An estimated 1.8 million New Zealanders are very or extremely concerned about unauthorised access to or misuse of personal information; 58 percent of New Zealanders.
• An estimated 1.5 million New Zealanders are very or extremely concerned about their computer security when it comes to viruses and unsolicited emails; 46% of New Zealanders.
• An estimated 1.2 million New Zealanders are very or extremely concerned about the security of shopping or banking on line; 37 percent of New Zealanders.

“Social networking also brings challenges in the workplace as employers decide whether or not to allow access at work, and employees consider what information about their work they put on their blog, twitter or Facebook site. As a result organisations need to think about how to incorporate the best of such innovations while taking a holistic approach to organisational security and the protection of information that they hold,” said Mr Webber.

“At an individual level, there are some very simple steps that people can take to better protect themselves as they enjoy online social networking,” said Mr Webber. These include:
• Always read the privacy statement and terms and conditions before signing up to a social networking site
• Never post personally identifiable information on a social networking website which can be viewed by people you don’t know
• If you are using a social networking site set your page or profile to “private”
• Never reveal your travel or social plans online such as a weekend away or a party
• Know how to set your computer’s safety and privacy settings correctly
• Be wary of “fun” games and applications that ask you to enter your birth date, address, middle name or other details that could be used to build your identity
• Think twice – pause and reflect before posting or accepting a new “friend.”

“These are things that we can all do,” Mr Webber said.

About the Unisys Security Index
The Unisys Security Index provides a unique insight into the attitudes of New Zealanders 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 NZ Unisys Security Index is based, was conducted nationally between 24 February and 2 March 2009 by Consumer Link using a nationally representative sample of 506 respondents aged 18 years and over. All results have been post-weighted using Statistics NZ census 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.co.nz

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 specialise in helping clients secure their operations, increase the efficiency and utilisation of their data centers, enhance support to their end users and constituents, and modernise 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 organisations and government agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.unisys.com .

Unisys is a registered trademark of Unisys Corporation. All other brands and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

ends

© Scoop Media