Singaporeans reveal utmost concern over data security

The concern is led by data security issues with bankcard fraud topping the list.

Singaporean public holds the highest level of concern about security issues with 199 out of 300 respondents worrying about their security, according to the new 2020 Unisys Security Index. This is said to be the amongst highest of the nine developed countries included in the survey.

The concern is led by data security issues, with bankcard fraud (82%), identity theft (81%), computer viruses and hacking (74%), and the security of online transactions (69%) topping the list.

Further, 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, were seen as the age group with the highest level of concern.

Unisys Asia Pacific’s director of security services Ashwin Pal notes that 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 citizens. As a primary resource-scarce nation it must protect its business and financial infrastructure for both local citizens and foreign investors,” Pal added.

Singapore also recorded the highest level of concern regarding the impact of the pandemic on the Singaporean public. Seven in 10 Singaporeans are seriously concerned about the physical health of their family (70%) whilst 66% are concerned about the stability of the nation’s economy. Women are more concerned than men about the economy, whilst men have higher concerns about their children’s education.

The index notes that they are slightly less concerned about their personal financial security and health and the nation’s health infrastructure. Less than half are concerned about the risk of being scammed or a data breach whilst they work from home.

Meanwhile, despite being in a geographic region exposed to a broad range of natural events from typhoons to earthquakes, floods and bushfires, only 62% of Singaporeans are concerned about natural disasters. It is the only nation in the Asia Pacific where concern about natural disasters did not rank in the top three.