What is the Security Index?

The Unisys Security Index provides a recurring, statistical measure of consumer concern about four areas of security: national, financial, Internet and personal safety. The Index tracks trends in consumer perception of pressing security issues as they relate to current events and market forces in various regions, measuring consumer concern towards eight specific issues against these four categories and providing an overall assessment of concern among approximately 14,000 people in 13 countries.

The study measures consumer perceptions on a scale of zero to 300, with 300 representing the highest level of perceived anxiety. In addition to the U.S., the Unisys Security Index includes consumers’ opinions from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand, Malaysia, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Why did Unisys develop the Security Index?
The Index will assist companies and governments to better interpret the implications of broad political, economic and societal forces on consumer perceptions, concerns and needs in different regions.

By doing so, Unisys and its clients can help consumers manage risk across the areas of financial, personal, Internet and national security and close the gap between what consumers perceive to be the greatest threats to their well-being and what the reality of those threats really are.

When was the Unisys Security Index first launched and what is its frequency?
The Unisys Security Index was launched globally in October 2007 (2006 in the Asia-Pacific region). With surveys conducted twice a year, the Unisys Security Index provides compelling insight into the attitudes of global consumers on a wide range of security related issues.

What differentiates the Unisys Security Index from other indices that currently exist?
A number of security surveys have been conducted over the past several years by various corporations, industry associations and analyst firms. The Unisys Security Index, though, is unique in its ability to measure consumer attitudes in 13 countries and present a holistic view of global security concerns.

To our knowledge, no other Index exists that is as robust, statistically rich and geographically diverse as the Unisys Security Index. As we continue to roll out additional indices on a regularly scheduled basis, we will be able to identify meaningful trends that will help security providers build better solutions, and enable organizations to make more informed security decisions.

It’s interesting that you are tracking consumer opinion but isn’t Unisys focused on serving corporate and government clients? If so, why conduct research on consumer perception?
Security solutions implemented by public and private enterprises have a direct effect on people’s daily activities – from airline travel to online banking to personal health and safety. Decisions taken by these enterprises to institute new security policies and procedures must be based, in part, by consumer perception to ensure successful adoption and execution.

Unisys, as a leader across a broad range of corporate and government security issues whose expertise extends well beyond the enterprise, recognizes that there are a broad set of political, economic and social forces that impact the security ‘ecosystem.’ We believe that the most effective solutions are going to be those formed through collaboration across interests, sectors, borders and geographies.

From the implementation of airport technology systems for the TSA to the development of a national “smart” ID card system for 24 million citizens in Malaysia, Unisys helps large companies and government organizations monitor, manage and respond to security threats. And we believe strongly that the data from the Unisys Security Index will help organizations develop and enhance products and services that adequately address the most pressing security concerns among consumers in their region.

Are you using a third-party vendor to conduct the survey?
The Unisys Security Index is conducted with Lieberman Research Group.