Bangkok--27 Jun--Vero Public Relations
Thailand’s rate of unlicensed software installations falls one point to 71 percent
Computer users cite the risk of security threats from malware as the top reason not to use unlicensed software. Among their specific concerns are intrusions by hackers and loss of data. Yet, according to a survey launched today, 71 percent of the software installed on personal computers in Thailand is not properly licensed.
These and other findings released today in the BSA Global Software Survey underscore the need for effective software management practices, especially in business settings.
“Unlicensed software use is an organizational governance issue — and this study shows there is a clear need for improvement,” said BSA President and CEO Victoria Espinel. “There are basic steps any company can take to ensure it is fully compliant, like establishing a formal policy on licensed software use and maintaining careful records. Companies also should consider implementing more robust software asset management programs that follow internationally-accepted guidelines. These SAM programs can deliver substantial value by ensuring adequate controls are in place to provide a full view into what is installed on a network. That helps organizations avoid security and operational risks, and it ensures they have the right number of licenses for their users.”
The BSA Global Software Survey is conducted every other year for BSA by IDC, which this year polled computer users in 34 markets including nearly 22,000 consumer and business PC users and more than 2,000 IT managers. Among the findings:
- The commercial value of that unlicensed software in Thailand totaled 28.5 billion THB.
- The chief reason computer users around the world cite for not using unlicensed software is avoiding security threats from malware. Among the risks associated with unlicensed software, 64 percent of users globally cited unauthorized access by hackers as a top concern and 59 percent cited loss of data.
- IT managers around the world express understandable concern that unlicensed software may cause harm, yet less than half say they are very confident that their company’s software is properly licensed.
- Only 32 percent of companies in Thailand have written policies in place requiring use of properly licensed software.
“Executives in Thailand need to proactively ensure their software assets are well managed – there are too many serious security risks to ignore this issue,” said Ms. Varunee Ratchatapattanakul, BSA representative of Thailand. “The fact that Thailand’s rate of unlicensed software fell by one point is a positive sign – but Thailand remains significantly behind competitors in Asia where the average rate of unlicensed software use is 62 percent. The present rate of unlicensed software in Thailand indicates that Thailand’s environment of IT security risk management and compliance still needs improvement in order to attract foreign trade and investment.”
The Department of Intellectual Property declared 2013 “Year of IPR” and managed a series of campaigns to promote awareness of intellectual property laws and regulations in Thailand. In addition, Thai law enforcement authorities succeeded in enforcing IPR laws among more than 300 businesses that use illegal software. Both of these factors contributed to Thailand’s declining rate of unlicensed software installations. These factors may also have contributed to the fact that Thai companies are among the highest in the world with an informal policy in place about the use of unlicensed software. 58 percent of Thai IT managers surveyed said that their employer has an “informal” policy in place regarding use of unlicensed software. This is the highest rate among 20 countries surveyed.
“It is a good sign that there is a relatively high level of informal awareness about the need to use licensed software in Thailand,” added Ms Varunee. “Now, companies would benefit by creating a formal, written company policy on the use of licensed software. Company directors should make it very clear what is and is not allowed with regard to software use at their business. Company directors can start by visiting www.verafirm.org for more information on software asset management.
Among the other findings in BSA’s Global Software Survey:
- The global rate at which PC software was installed without proper licensing rose from 42 percent in 2011 to 43 percent in 2013 as emerging economies where unlicensed software use is most prevalent continued to account for a growing majority of all PCs in service.
- The commercial value of unlicensed PC software installations totaled $62.7 billion globally in 2013.
- The region with the highest overall rate of unlicensed PC software installations in 2013 was Asia-Pacific, at 62 percent. This represented a 2 percentage-point increase from 2011, with the commercial value of unlicensed installations reaching $21 billion.
- Central and Eastern Europe had the next-highest rate of unlicensed software installations at 61 percent, followed by Latin America at 59 percent and the Middle East and Africa, also at 59 percent.
- In Western Europe, the rate dropped three points to 29 percent in 2013 with a commercial value of $12.8 billion.
- In the European Union, the rate dropped two points to 31 percent in 2013, with a commercial value of $13.5 billion.
A full copy of BSA’s Global Software Survey, including country-specific data, is available for download on BSA’s website: www.bsa.org/globalstudy.