The use of unlicenced software is falling steadily, according to the report carried out by IDC, with global rates tumbling from 43 to 39 per cent while European Union rates fell two percentage points to 29 per cent.
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According to the Software Alliance’s Taiwan Web site, up to 36 percent of Taiwan’s computers used unauthorized software, down 2 percentage points from 2013.
In the Asia-Pacific region, 61 per cent of software installed on computers in 2015 was unlicensed, while the commercial value of unlicensed software use was valued at $19.1 billion.
“In addition, both BSA and the software industry have been working harder than ever to drive licence compliance and educate companies on the benefits of adopting effective SAM measures and using licensed software in the region”.
“Where unlicensed software is in use, the likelihood of encountering malware goes up dramatically. In 2015 alone, for example, cyber attacks cost businesses over $400 billion, globally”, Mr. Lim said, quoting a report by Symantec.
Meanwhile, the proportion of pirated software in the world has dropped to 39% from 43% in 2013.
“Many CIOs do not know the full extent of software deployed on their systems or if that software is legitimate”, she said.
Even in certain critical industries, unlicensed use was surprisingly high.
It found that the worldwide rate for what it called “critical” sectors such as banking, insurance and securities industries was 25 percent.
Among the CIOs surveyed, it was estimated that 15% of their employees download software onto the company network without their knowledge.
CIOs said their highest concern was loss of data associated with such a security incident.
Of those admitting to installing outside software on work computers, 84 percent said they had installed two or more unauthorised programs.
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Zimbabwe and Libya took the dubious honour of having the joint highest rate globally, at 90 per cent apiece, while the U.S. boasted the lowest, at 17 per cent, ahead of Japan on 18 per cent.
