Unisys Security Index Reveals Global Consumer Confidence in Security of Mobile Devices

BLUE BELL, Pa., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- According to recent research conducted by Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS), the majority of mobile device users worldwide feel safe using their mobile devices for applications, including airline boarding passes; as payments in stores for low-cost items; or to access online banking.

The latest wave of the bi-annual Unisys Security Index found that the overwhelming majority of mobile device users in the United States (83%), Spain (80%) and the United Kingdom (75%) said they would be comfortable using the devices for one or more of the applications. Additionally, about half of device users from the Netherlands (49%), Belgium (51%) and Germany (52%) said they would feel safe using mobile devices for these same services.

Of the 80% of Americans who said they own cell phones or handheld devices, 40% said they would feel safe using these devices to receive notifications if their credit cards are charged more than a specified amount. And 38% said they would feel safe using them to purchase cinema, sporting event or theater tickets.

While there was broad acceptance among device users towards one or more of the applications, users' responses frequently differed as to which of the applications they would feel safe using on their mobile devices. However, there was greater confidence in the security of mobile devices across the board among younger consumers. For example, 76% of UK citizens 18-24 years-old said they would feel secure using their mobile devices as airline boarding passes, compared to just under half of all UK device users (49%). In the U.S., 53% of consumers aged 18-34 years-old said they would feel safe using them to purchase theater, sports or cinema tickets, compared to 38% acceptance rate for U.S. citizens overall.

"The majority of mobile device users worldwide feels safe using these devices for financial, travel or purchasing related applications. In addition, comfort levels are higher among younger adults, suggesting that acceptance of these mobile applications will grow in the future," said Mark Cohn, vice president of enterprise security, Unisys. "This data illustrates that personal technologies such as smart phones can empower new business models, because consumers appear confident that they will be able to trust the level of security implemented by their service providers."

Additional key global findings from the Unisys Security Index supplemental questions include:

• U.S. citizens reported the highest confidence overall in using mobile devices, with 83% of mobile device users reporting they would feel safe using them for one of three business applications: airline boarding passes; as payments in stores for low-cost items; or to access online banking. Brazil citizens reported the lowest confidence, with 47% of device users reporting they would feel safe using them for one of those applications.
• Of all countries surveyed, device users in the UK were the most accepting of using their mobile devices to access personal and work related programs and applications. For example, almost half (49%) said they would feel safe using mobile devices as airline boarding passes, and 44% reported they would feel secure using them for store purchases.
• Access to online banking ranked as Germany's top mobile concern with only nine percent of device users reporting that they would feel safe using their mobile devices for this application.
• One-quarter of device users in the Netherlands and just under one-third from Belgium (31%) said they would feel safe using their mobile device to purchase theater, sports or cinema tickets.

About the Unisys Security Index

The Unisys Security Index is a bi-annual global study that provides insights into the attitudes of consumers on a wide range of security related issues. Lieberman Research Group conducted the survey in Latin America, Europe and the U.S.; Newspoll conducted the research in Asia-Pacific. The Unisys Security Index surveys more than 10,000 people in eleven countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The study measures consumer perceptions on a scale of zero to 300, with 300 representing the highest level of perceived concern. For more information, visit www.unisyssecurityindex.com.

About Unisys

Unisys is a worldwide information technology company. We provide a portfolio of IT services, software, and technology that solves critical problems for clients. We specialize in helping clients secure their operations, increase the efficiency and utilization of their data centers, enhance support to their end users and constituents, and modernize their enterprise applications. To provide these services and solutions, we bring together offerings and capabilities in outsourcing services, systems integration and consulting services, infrastructure services, maintenance services, and high-end server technology. With more than 25,000 employees, Unisys serves commercial organizations and government agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.unisys.com.

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Unisys is a registered trademark of Unisys Corporation. All other brands and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Unisys Corporation