PINcept.com: Unisys Security Index

Unisys Security Index - October 2009

The Unisys Security IndexTM presents a social indicator regarding how safe consumers feel on key areas of security. Conducted twice a year, the Unisys Security Index provides a regular, statistically robust measure of concerns about four areas of security:

National security - security and epidemics

Financial security - bankcard fraud and ability to meet personal financial obligations

Internet security - spam, virus and online financial transactions

Personal security - physical risk and identity theft

The survey's results around computer security issues reveal that the percentage of people who don't care about computer viruses or the security of e-commerce and online banking is about the same as the percentage of folks who don't use the Internet, i.e., about 25 to 30 percent of Americans. Ignorance is bliss, it seems.

But one fear that both users and non-users of the Internet share is the fear of identity theft—about 65 percent are either "very concerned" or "extremely concerned"—and that's because ID theft is largely a low-tech threat.

US Security Index, October 2009 Source: Unisys

What's new in the report

Concerns around credit / debit card fraud and identity theft continue to grow around the world

Respondents in all countries are highly concerned about the ability of governments and financial service providers to safeguard their personal data

Despite the recession, consumer concern around the ability to meet financial obligations has decreased in most countries

Consumers are more willing to use biometric technology as a means to verify their identity, with some countries now ranking as highly as 95% in favor (fingerprint and iris scan