Global security concern remains at the highest level in 13 years, according to the 2019 Unisys Security Index report. 

For the third consecutive year, Identity Theft and Bankcard Fraud continue to be the two most pressing concerns worldwide. Identity Theft continues to rank at the top out of the eight security threats measured by the index, with more than two-thirds of those surveyed (69 percent) seriously concerned – exceeding reported concern related to threats like war, terrorism and natural disasters.

Significant findings include:

  • Bankcard Fraud also remains one of the top two security concerns globally, with two-thirds (66 percent) of consumers seriously concerned about it.
  • Increasing internet security concerns are largely behind the rise. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of consumers report they are seriously concerned about the threat of Viruses/Hacking with more than half (57 percent) seriously concerned about Online Shopping and Banking. In general, consumers in developing countries registered higher levels of concern.

Consumers reported they are as fearful of having data stolen at large events as they are of being physically harmed:

  • While 57 percent of respondents in the 13 countries surveyed registered serious concern (extremely/very concerned) about falling victim to a physical attack at a large event, the same percentage registered serious concern about having their personal data stolen when using public Wi-Fi at thesevents, and 59 percent were seriously concerned about someone stealing their credit card data.
  • 28 percent of respondents have changed their plans to attend certain large-scale events and nearly four in 10 (39 percent) said they would “think twice” about attending. A quarter of those who are not changing their plans reported they will take extra precautions about securing mobile devices and wallets. 

Concerns around Internet Security saw the biggest increase compared to 2018, rising three points. Concerns about Identity Theft and Bankcard Fraud continue to eclipse worries about threats from War or Terrorism or Natural Disasters and Epidemics. However, National Security concerns, on the whole, rose by two points.