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JUN 04, 2018 | MALAYSIA

Businesses in Malaysia should assess their software needs and eliminate unlicensed software use in order to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and boost bottom line, says BSA

Cybersecurity Threats Remains a Grave Concern Despite Two Point Drop in Unlicensed Software Use

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – June 5, 2018 – To reduce the risk of cyberattacks and boost their bottom line, businesses in Malaysia should assess the software on their networks and eliminate unlicensed software, according to the 2018 Global Software Survey from BSA | The Software Alliance.

The survey, released today, found that in Malaysia, 51 percent of software installed on computers was not properly licensed. This represents a 2 point decrease compared with BSA’s prior study, released in 2016.

This rate of use has been influenced in part by a decline in the PC market in Malaysia, though more so in the commercial sector than the consumers sector.  The "consumer effect" in shipments and "installed base" effect put slight upward pressure on the unlicensed rate, but overall the rate dropped, can be credited to legalization and enforcement efforts of the government, especially the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

Around the world, organizations use software to improve the way they do business, increase profits, reach new markets, and gain competitive advantages. But, as CIOs reported and as analysis detailed in the survey confirms, if the software is unlicensed, organizations run a significant risk of encountering often-crippling security threats.

To better understand the implications of using unlicensed software, BSA released the 2018 Global Software Survey: Software Management: Security Imperative, Business Opportunity. The survey quantifies the volume and value of unlicensed software installed on personal computers in more than 110 countries and regions, and includes nearly 23,000 responses from consumers, employees, and CIOs.

“Organizations around the world are missing out on the economic and security benefits that well-managed software provides,” said Victoria Espinel, President and CEO of BSA | The Software Alliance. “Businesses should establish software asset management (SAM) programs to evaluate and manage the software on their networks.  This, in turn, helps organizations reduce the risk of debilitating cyberattacks and helps grow their revenues.”  

The survey’s key findings include:

  • Use of unlicensed software, while down slightly, is still widespread. Unlicensed software is still used around the globe at alarming rates, accounting for 37 percent of software installed on personal computers – only a 2 percent drop from 2016.
  • CIOs report unlicensed software is increasingly risky and expensive. Malware from unlicensed software costs companies worldwide nearly $359 billion a year. CIOs report that avoiding data hacks and other security threats from malware is the number one reason for ensuring their networks are fully licensed.
  • Improving software compliance is now an economic enabler in addition to a security imperative. When companies take pragmatic steps to enhance their software management, they can increase profits by as much as 11 percent.
  • Organizations can take meaningful steps today to improve software management. Studies show that organizations can achieve as much as 30 percent savings in annual software costs by implementing a robust SAM and software license optimization program.

Through in-depth analysis, the survey shows companies can implement strong measures, including SAM programs, to improve the way they manage software, thereby increasing profits, decreasing security risks, and growing opportunity.

To explore the survey’s results, including a breakdown of country-specific data, visit www.bsa.org/globalstudy.

ABOUT BSA

BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that help businesses of all sizes in every part of the economy to modernize and grow.

With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 30 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy.

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