Only 3 in 10 Singapore business travellers feel confident on data safety

They worry the most about using public wifi during travels.

Only over a fourth (27%) of business travellers from Singapore expressed confidence that their employer’s data safety will not be compromised when travelling, a study by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) revealed.

According to the study, their top concern in relation to data security whilst travelling come from using public Wi-FI (29%). They also expressed worry over having their laptops or other mobile devices stolen or lost (25%) and accessing company emails (14%).

More than half (53%) of these road warriors from Singapore said that they feel worried about a security breach when online or trying to get online during travels. In relation, 39% of Singaporeans admitted to downloading an unknown file from an unrecognised sender.

“These results show there is still a lot to do around educating travellers on how to look after their company’s data,” CWT executive vice president and chief technology officer Andrew Jordan commented. “For instance, connectivity in public spaces can put company data at risk.”

Singaporeans take prompt action in times of a security or data breach as half of them notify their firm’s IT or management department shortly after identifying the breach. Furthermore, 35% of them noted that they immediately turn off their devices after such incidences.

Meanwhile, 66% of business travellers from Singapore said they know how to report a phishing email appropriately.

Considering their prompt actions, only 14% of Singaporeans said that they received frequent and formal communication and guidance about data and internet security from their company.

“Awareness and training are key to protecting against any possible security breaches,” Jordan said.