Aussies weighed down by net concerns

Abstract security threats continue to weigh heavily on the minds of Australians, services outfit Unisys has found.

In its new quarterly Security Survey & Index, the company found terrorism, health pandemics and internet related threats were of higher concern than immediate threats to personal safety.

Conducted by Newspoll on behalf of Unisys, during May, the survey of 1200 respondents found that 56 percent cited identity theft and misuse of personal information as the number one security-related concern amongst Australians.

The survey showed 53 percent of respondents listed high levels of concern about other people obtaining their credit card or debit card details.

Comparatively, only 41 percent held high levels of concern about national security in relation to war or terrorism

Unisys Asia Pacific general manager and VP Andrew Barkla said the issue of security, both national and personal, has changed dramatically since 9/11, thus necessitating a new security index.

“This first index is a good benchmark for our quarterly survey as it was taken at a relatively ‘neutral’ point in time,” he said.

“With no major incidents immediately preceding the poll it suggests a somewhat normal level of comfort across the nation.”