The Hybrid Workplace at Risk: Americans More Concerned about Cybersecurity than Ever, yet Nearly Six in 10 Download Unauthorized Software, Apps
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
New Unisys Security Index(TM) shows lack of cyber threat awareness contributes to employees bypassing their IT department; employers must balance security with enabling a positive digital experience
BLUE BELL, Pa., Oct. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans are more concerned about cybersecurity than ever before, according to the new 2021 Unisys Security Index(TM). The survey found that concerns around internet security (including computer viruses and hacking) rose by 16% from 2020 to the highest level of U.S. internet security concerns in the 15 years that Unisys has been running the study.
Despite their heightened concerns over internet security, many Americans are bypassing company security processes and using unauthorized software for work, notably:
-- Nearly 6 in 10 (58%) of U.S. workers have downloaded or installed
software, apps or cloud storage programs not approved by their IT
department.
-- When asked why they chose to do so, 45% of respondents said that the
software or apps they downloaded were better than the tools their
company provided, while 43% said that their company did not provide a
good alternative option.
"With the hybrid workforce here to stay, the survey shines a light on the need to balance productivity and collaboration tools with security, which do not have to be mutually exclusive," said Leon Gilbert, senior vice president and general manager, Digital Workplace Solutions, Unisys. "It's likely that many people don't understand the security risks of what they're doing when they go around their IT department, but it underscores how important it is for organizations to recognize how your employees feel, ensure quality communication and collaboration experiences and equip your workforce with appropriate tools that are adopted rather than bypassed."
Lack of Cyber Threat Awareness Creates Risks for the Hybrid Workplace
The survey found that most Americans are unaware of cybersecurity threats, including:
-- More than 6 in 10 (62%) say they are not familiar with the threat of SMS
phishing (also known as 'SMiShing'), which is when a scammer texts
asking for personal or financial information;
-- More than three-quarters (76%) report being unaware of SIM jacking,
which is when a scammer gets your phone number transferred to a phone
they control;
-- More than half (51%) of people surveyed say they are not wary of
clicking on links in a text message, email or social media app; and
-- Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents do not know where to report a
scam should they be victimized.
The findings pose a stark warning for companies navigating remote and hybrid work environments, trying to balance productivity and security. A recent report found that the overall number of phishing attacks increased dramatically in Q2 2021, with a 281% spike in May and another 284% increase in June.
"With cyberattacks constantly in the headlines, the average consumer is experiencing a level of 'data breach fatigue.' However, this puts businesses at risk," said Unisys Chief Security and Infrastructure Officer Mat Newfield. "Without proper network defenses, one click from an employee working from home opens up other access points to the network, which typically is made up of more than one cloud environment. This could put your company's IP, assets and data at risk, which is why leaders need to re-think how and where they focus their attention.
"Organizations need to embrace a holistic security strategy that provides greater visibility across IT and cloud environments so they can take action to address gaps and incidents, as well as look at tools that can encrypt data in motion, segment your network so that an intruder cannot move laterally across it and increase identity-based access and authentication measures," said Newfield.
2021 Unisys Security Index: 15 Years and Counting
The longest-running snapshot of consumer security concerns conducted globally, the 2021 Unisys Security Index surveyed 11,000 consumers in 11 countries, including 1,000 in the U.S., in July 2021. Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) gauged their attitudes on a wide range of security-related issues dealing with personal, national, internet and financial security. On a scale of zero to 300, with 300 representing the highest level of concern, the U.S. index is now at 175 in terms of overall security concerns which is the fourth-highest score globally. Overall American security concerns rose by 16 points over 2020, the biggest rise among the 11 countries surveyed.
For more results and information on the 2021 Unisys Security Index, click here.
About Unisys
Unisys is a global IT solutions company that delivers successful outcomes for the most demanding businesses and governments. Unisys offerings include digital workplace solutions, cloud and infrastructure solutions, enterprise computing solutions, business process solutions and cybersecurity solutions. For more information on how Unisys delivers for its clients across the commercial, financial services and government markets, visit www.unisys.com.
Follow Unisys on Twitter and LinkedIn.
RELEASE NO.: 1026/9853
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.
UIS-C
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-hybrid-workplace-at-risk-americans-more-concerned-about-cybersecurity-than-ever-yet-nearly-six-in-10-download-unauthorized-software-apps-301408066.html
SOURCE Unisys Corporation
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Indusface redefines WAAP user experience with industry-first innovations in AppTrana | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER BRADLEY COOPER'S FILM CAREGIVING TO PREMIERE ON PBS FOR NATIONWIDE BROADCAST JUNE 24 STREAMING BEGINS MAY 27 | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
Trend Micro Launches Voice-Enabled ScamCheck Capability to Help Protect Consumers from the Rising Threat of Global Scams | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
Splitit Unveils First Fully Embedded White-Label Installment Solution for Shopify Merchants | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
/C O R R E C T I O N -- Bell Canada (MTL)/ | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
Keeper Security Unveils Latest WearOS App for Seamless Password Management | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
Leading Endpoint Protection Solutions for Combatting Cyberthreats Identified in Info-Tech Research Group's New Emotional Footprint Report | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
Hornetsecurity named Top Player in Radicati's Secure Email - Market Quadrant 2025 | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
Ontinue Research Reveals Ransomware Attacks Surged 132% Despite 35% Drop in Payments | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
Identity Theft After a Data Breach? Legal Action May Recover Your Losses | Console & Associates | Mar 28, 2025
|
|
|
