Singaporeans Most Concerned About the Security Issues That Preserve its Position as a Safe Global Business Hub – 2020 Unisys Security Index™ Finds

Singapore has highest level of concern among developed nations; family's physical health and nation's economic stability top COVID-19 concerns

SINGAPORE and BLUE BELL, Pa., 2 July 2020 – New research from Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) reveals that in 2020 the Singaporean public holds the highest level of concern about security issues among developed nations¹, led by concern about data security issues, according to the new 2020 Unisys Security Index™.

The Unisys Security Index measures concerns of consumers on issues related to national, personal, financial and internet security and is the longest-running snapshot of consumer security concerns conducted globally. The overall measure of security concerns of the Singaporean public is 199 out of 300 – the highest of the nine developed countries among the 15 countries polled in the 2020 survey. It is 23 points higher than when the Unisys Security Index was last conducted in Singapore in 2008.

Data Security Issues Make Up Top Three Concerns: Bank Card Fraud, Identity Theft and Computer Viruses/Hacking

The top four concerns for Singaporeans are bankcard fraud (82% of Singaporeans seriously concerned about this issue), identity theft (81%), computer viruses and hacking (74%) and the security of online transactions (69%).

In a geographic region exposed to a broad range of natural events from typhoons to earthquakes, floods and bushfires, Singapore was the only nation in Asia Pacific where concern about natural disasters did not rank in the top three – with only 62% of Singaporeans seriously concerned about this issue, it ranked sixth of the eight types of security threats tracked in the study.

"Singaporeans understand the importance of data security to protect their position as a global business hub. It is extremely hyper-connected and is often cited as the best example of a smart city in the way it uses smart technologies to improve the lives of citizens². As a primary resource-scarce nation it must protect its business and financial infrastructure for both local citizens and foreign investors. The high Unisys Security Index score, and top concerns of bankcard fraud, identity theft and hacking, shows that Singaporeans understand that they must remain constantly vigilant to maintain their trusted reputation as a safe place to do business," said Ashwin Pal, director of security services, Unisys Asia Pacific.

Women are slightly more concerned than men with a Unisys Security Index of 202 as compared to 195 for men. Younger Singaporeans, aged 25-34 years, is the age group with the highest level of concern.

Top COVID-19 Concerns: Family Health and Economic Stability

This year, the Unisys Security Index also explored the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the Singaporean public. Overall, Singapore recorded the highest level of concern for these issues of the nine developed countries in the survey. Their top concerns are for their family and the economy with seven in 10 Singaporeans seriously concerned about the physical health of their family (70%) and the stability of the nation's economy (66%).

They are slightly less concerned about their personal financial security and health and the nation's health infrastructure. And less than half are concerned about the risk of being scammed or a data breach while they work from home. Women are more concerned than men about the economy, and men have higher concerns about their children's education.

Daphne Chee, director security, Unisys Asia explained: "Understandably family health is the top concern as for many they are home with you and you are responsible for them. The results show that there is consumer confidence and trust in Singapore's health infrastructure. Singapore was prepared for a pandemic having experienced SARS and H1-N1 outbreaks. However, with the economy driven by exports in electronics manufacturing and machinery, financial services, tourism and the world's busiest cargo seaport, there is a high level of concern about the impact of COVID-19 on Singapore's economy."

"Despite Singaporeans ranking data security issues as the top concerns in the Unisys Security Index, in the COVID-19 environment there is little attention given to the risk of scams or data breaches while working from home. People are the weakest link in security – every unauthorised app downloaded, no matter how well intentioned to assist with remote collaboration and so on, just adds to the growth of shadow IT that may not be covered by the security rigour deployed across the rest of the organisation. Employers need to ensure their people have secure direct access to applications, are trained to identify and avoid malicious scams and phishing attacks designed to exploit the fears and distractions created by the pandemic and can quickly isolate devices or parts of the network to minimise the extend of a breach – because they will happen," Ms Chee warned.

For more information, visit www.unisyssecurityindex.com.sg.

1 – The Unisys Security Index defines as developed country as having greater than US$12,000 GDP per capita.

2 – IMD Smart City Index 2019 – https://www.imd.org/smart-city-observatory/smart-city-index/

About Unisys

Unisys is a global information technology company that builds high-performance, security-centric solutions for the most demanding businesses and governments. Unisys offerings include security software and services; digital transformation and workplace services; industry applications and services; and innovative software operating environments for high-intensity enterprise computing. For more information on how Unisys builds better outcomes securely for its clients across the government, financial services and commercial markets, visit www.unisys.com.sg. Follow Unisys on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Contact:

Claire Hosegood, Unisys Asia Pacific
+61 411 253 663, claire.hosegood@au.unisys.com

Unisys and other Unisys products and services mentioned herein, as well as their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Unisys Corporation. Any other brand or product referenced herein is acknowledged to be a trademark or registered trademark of its respective holder.