New Survey Finds Many New Zealanders Are Not Taking Basic Precautions to Protect Themselves from Cyber Threats When Working from Home

Kiwis unaware of many common cyber scams; don’t know who to report them to; and download unauthorised apps on work devices – Unisys Security Index™

Wellington, New Zealand, 3 November 2021 – Despite best intentions, most New Zealanders overlook key steps to protect sensitive data while working from home, leaving their personal information, and their employers, at risk – finds the new Unisys Security Index™.

While two-thirds of New Zealanders (66%) say they are responsible for keeping their own data safe and secure while working from home, many are not aware of common cyber security risks:

• More than half (54%) are unaware of SMiShing – when a scammer texts asking for personal or financial information;
• 33% are not wary of clicking on links in a text message, email or social app;
• 82% are not aware of SIM jacking – when a fraudster gets your phone number transferred to a phone they control;
• 74% don’t know which organisation to report a scam to if they fall victim;
• 42% say they are not as careful on their phone as on their laptop or computer when it comes to protecting their personal and financial details; and
• One third (34%) admit they have downloaded or installed software, mobile apps or programs for work purposes that their IT department had not authorised or approved.

Yet New Zealanders are very concerned about protecting their privacy and data security. In 2021 the top three security issues concerning New Zealanders are data/privacy related: Identity theft (52% of New Zealanders concerned about this issue), hacking and viruses (51%) and bankcard fraud (49%). Concern about hacking and viruses and identity theft recorded the greatest increases (+11 points and +9 points, respectively) over the last year. This marks a change of focus compared to 2020 when natural disasters, including pandemics, had been the top security concern for Kiwis.

“Employers rely on employees to do the right thing to prevent cyberattacks,” said Gergana Winzer, industry director of cybersecurity, Unisys for Asia Pacific. “But this is a big ask when New Zealanders are being targeted by more ransomware attacks than ever before1. Moreover, the research shows that Kiwis are not attentive to cyber risks on mobile devices. Employers need to ensure that their security measures encompass mobile devices used for work – even if they are owned by the employee. Scammers tailor very sophisticated attacks that mimic organisations people trust in order to trick them into clicking on a link or downloading an app That may launch malicious code or cause them to unwittingly provide personal details. And those details can be used for identity and financial fraud or to mimic their profile to access their employer’s systems.”

Exploiting COVID-19

“COVID-19 creates new opportunities for criminals to take advantage of people’s trust in brands and responsiveness to familiar processes,” added Winzer. “Home deliveries have increased markedly under COVID-19. CERT NZ recently warned of a malicious app that spread via links in text messages about parcel deliveries.”

“There’s a lot of focus on public and employee education campaigns to raise awareness of scams in order to avoid them. But education is only part of the solution – it must be repeated and continually updated to ensure people are alert to new sophisticated threats. But humans will still make bad decisions – accidently or intentionally. So organisations also need a holistic approach to security that also includes processes, policies and technologies to make it extra hard for people to, without intending, do the wrong thing,” she said.

Security Linked to Employee Experience

New Zealanders gave a variety of reasons for intentionally installing unauthorised software and mobile apps: They wanted to use the same tools they use in their personal life for work purposes (39%); they needed it to do their job and their employer didn’t provide a good alternative (38%); it was better than the tools their employer provided (35%); or for entertainment and personal use (33%).

“Security and employee experience are fundamentally integrated: employees who download unauthorised software risk creating unsecured links to devices and systems. But don’t assume that ‘shadow IT’ means you need to provide more tools. Look at what unauthorised apps are installed, and ask why: Is it really a gap in tools required to perform a job? Or is it because employees aren’t aware of the functionality already available or are they simply reluctant to change from what they are familiar with? Measure the adoption of approved tools – including usability and experience – to work out how to make them irresistible, to negate the temptation or need for individuals to install unauthorised software,” advised Winzer.

2021 Unisys Security Index: 15 Years and Counting

The 2021 Unisys Security Index for New Zealand, the overall measure of security concerns of the New Zealand public, is 140 out of 300, up four points from 2020 and the highest since 2017. Even so, it is the fourth lowest level of concern of the 11 countries. The study is 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 New Zealand, 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.  

For more results and information on the 2021 Unisys Security Index visit UnisysSecurityIndex.co.nz and this infographic summarising the New Zealand findings.

1 – CERT NZ Media release: Remote working putting organisations at risk of ransomware

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.

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Contact:
Allan Botica, Botica Butler Raudon,
M: +64 21 400 500 | T: +64 9 303 3862 | E: allanb@botica.co.nz

Claire Hosegood, Unisys Asia Pacific
+61 411 253 663, claire.hosegood@au.unisys.com

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