Malaysians believe telcos more vulnerable to data breaches

The research was conducted by Lieberman Research Group which saw 503 adults being surveyed during April and May this year.

PETALING JAYA: Latest research has revealed that Malaysians believe telecommunication companies (telcos) are most vulnerable to the breach of the consumer’s personal data over the next 12 months as compared to many other organisations.

The research was carried out by Unisys Corporation via Unisys Security Insights.

In Malaysia, it was conducted by an independent research body, Lieberman Research Group which saw 503 adults being surveyed during April and May this year.

The survey asked consumers in 12 countries on the likelihood that their personal data could be accessed by an unauthorised person, accidentally or deliberately through seven types of organisations such as airlines, banking/finance, government, healthcare, retail, telco and utilities.

The research discovered that 59 per cent of Malaysians expect a personal information data breach at a telco, followed by government (49 per cent), healthcare providers (43 per cent) utilities which includes power or water supplier (41 per cent), airlines (36 per cent), banking and finance (35 per cent) and retailers (33 per cent).

Unisys Asia Pacific Security Program director John Kendall said it was pivotal for the organisations to take preventative measures to protect consumers’ personal data and build trust.

“Telecommunication companies need to take not only preventative measures, but also make those measures visible to build and retain public confidence.

“Apart from that, even though retailers, banks and airlines are regarded as the most trusted among others, they also need to ensure maintaining this trust as they continue to obtain more information on their customers in a bid to provide personalised services and offers,” he said at the Unisys Security Insights and CyberSecurity Malaysia Media Briefing 2015.

Also present was CyberSecurity Malaysia chief exectuive officer Amiruddin Abdul Wahab.

-BERNAMA