Security concerns ease significantly in New Zealand – Unisys Security Index May 2008

Some regional variations in concern over ability to meet essential financial obligations

Wellington, 28 May 2008: New Zealanders’ security concerns have returned to their previous levels  after an upward spike last November, according to the Unisys Security Index TMreleased today.

Significant falls in the level of concern held across all four areas of security has seen the Overall Unisys Security index for New Zealand fall 39 points to stand at 100, the lowest level recorded since Unisys began assessing New Zealander’s attitudes to security in September 2006.

The largest falls were in the area of National and Financial Security, with falls of 47 and 46 points respectively, although sizeable falls were also recorded in Personal and Internet Security areas.

The index also shows some regional variations in people’s concerns over their ability to meet essential financial commitments. Half of all North Island residents surveyed express some level of concern about this, with 10% being extremely concerned. This is somewhat lower In the South Island, with only 39% being concerned about this (and only 3% being extremely concerned).

“The latest results show a clear return to previous levels of concern about all measured aspects of security after a peak in December 2007”, said Mike Webber, Manager Enterprise Security (Asia Pacific) for Unisys Corporation.

“The December spike arose following widely publicised police raids in Ruatoki and elsewhere, which created concerns about terrorism that have since been allayed. This result represents a reversion to the levels of concern exhibited in previous periods.”

The key Unisys Security Index results for May 2008 are as follows:

National Security – 88, down 47 points
Financial Security – 108, down 46 points
Internet Security – 105, down 28 points
Personal Security  - 100, down 32 points

The top issues of concern for New Zealanders are identity theft, financial fraud and computer security.

Unauthorised access to or misuse of personal information – 47%  extremely or very concerned
Other people obtaining and or using your credit/debit card details – 43% extremely or very concerned
Computer security in relation to viruses and unsolicited emails – 34% extremely or very concerned

The Unisys Security Index TMprovides 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.com.au

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