Young People Most Concerned about Threat of Terrorism on Workplace Computing, BroadSpire Survey Reveals
More than two years after the 9/11 attacks, the fear of loss from a natural disaster or act of terrorism extends to computer systems in the workplace -- a concern that is most pronounced among young people,according to a new nationwide survey commissioned by BroadSpire (www.broadspire.com), a leading managed IT services provider.
According to the survey, conducted for BroadSpire by Synovate of Chicago, more than one-third of American workers are "quite" or "somewhat" concerned that a natural disaster or terrorist act could take out computer systems at work. By a wide margin, those 18-24 expressed greater concern about the threat than their elders (37 percent to roughly 31 percent).
Fielded earlier this month -- before the wildfires hit California --the BroadSpire/Synovate eNation survey polled 1,408 employed Americans online to determine their level of anxiety about the threat to workplace computing from a natural disaster or terrorism. The new study reveals that, overall, concerns about such threats affect nearly a third of those surveyed, with women slightly more apprehensive than men.Uneasiness over computer system vulnerability affects nearly 40 percent of non-whites, against 30 percent of the white population.
The BroadSpire survey echoes the results of another recent study,which revealed that about 30 percent of companies lack a formal disaster recovery strategy, and 64 percent of companies say their data backup and disaster recovery plans have significant vulnerabilities, Commissioned by Imation Corp., that survey polled IT directors and network storage managers on their perception of data backup, storage technologies, and disaster recovery practices.
"Our survey indicates that the anxieties arising from September 11 are still fresh, and that a substantial number of Americans -- correctly or not -- believe the computer systems they depend on at work are at risk," said Suresh Srinivasan, president, BroadSpire. "Young people appear most concerned because they've grown up with a faith in technology. They expect computer systems to be there -- and given the economic climate, they understand how dependent we've all become on their operation, 24/7."
Srinivasan recommends that companies implement a disaster recovery plan that includes high-security standards, business continuity plans,testing and updating procedures and continuous data backups.
The BroadSpire/Synovate survey also uncovered other demographic trends of note:
-- Middle income anxiety. The threat of a calamity taking out computer systems in the office concerns 37 percent of those with annual incomes between $25,000-$50,000, more than any other household income group by a wide margin.
-- Regional differences. Computer system vulnerability most worries those in the Southeast (36 percent), while those in the West are the least concerned with the threat (26 percent).
-- Less education -- less assurance. The perceived threat to computer systems from terrorism or natural disaster declines as education level increases. Perhaps reflecting economic concerns, those with a high school education or less (32 percent) are most troubled that the systems they depend on at work are at risk.
-- Marital status matters. While 28 percent of those married acknowledged fears about the risks to workplace computing, nearly 35 percent of the single, divorced, or widowed respondents said they were "somewhat" or "quite" concerned about the threat.
"The terrorist attacks have affected the way Americans look at their business in tangible and intangible ways," Srinivasan said. "Peace of mind is important to organizational health and productivity. Whether through fire, flood, earthquake, blackout or act of terrorism, risks to workplace computing must be acknowledged. Workers are asking for reassurance and need their employers to embrace and promote sound disaster recovery strategies."
About BroadSpire
Founded in 1996, BroadSpire (www.broadspire.com)is a leading managed IT services provider, headquartered in Los Angeles,Calif. In delivering outsourced IT, data center outsourcing and fully managed Web hosting services, BroadSpire maintains a strict focus on customer service that has enabled the company to become a best-of-breed provider both in its service offerings and in its customer care. With discrete lines of business for enterprise and small/mid-size businesses,the company serves as a seamless extension of its customers' information technology infrastructure. BroadSpire has earned the trust of more than 2,000 companies worldwide, including BP Amoco, NBC, Yale University, Paramount Pictures, and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. BroadSpire is a member of the 2003 Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 50 for the Los Angeles area.
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