New BSA Survey Finds Use of Unlicensed Software at 66 Percent in Thailand

Thursday 07 June 2018 09:58
Companies in Thailand remain vulnerable to cyberattacks even though unlicensed software falls.

The 2018 Global Software Survey from BSA | The Software Alliance found that in Thailand, 66 percent of software installed on computers was not properly licensed, representing a 3-point decrease with commercial value of $714 million (22.84 billion baht), compared with BSA's prior study released in 2016. Asia's average rate of unlicensed software use is 57 percent.

This rate of use has been influenced in part by important trends under way in Thailand. The "installed base effect" played a part on the drop in the unlicensed rate, but more important were effective enforcement by the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) of the Royal Thai Police and a series of education campaigns with respect to the risk of unlicensed software use. In addition, global-scale security attacks, especially the Wannacry virus, has created more awareness for the need of genuine software (in particular, OS and security software) across the Thai society. Finally, IDC analysts report that the reward campaign for reporting illegal software usage in the organizations driven by BSA has been effective in creating awareness.

Mr. Tarun Sawney, Senior Director, Asia-Pacific, BSA I The Software Alliance, said that BSA in partnership with IDC – one of the world's leading independent research firms – conducted the survey in 110 national and regional economies and found that the worldwide unlicensed software rate declined 2 percentage points to 37 percent in 2017 from 39 percent in 2015, representing commercial value of $46.3 billion (1.48 trillion baht). Use of unlicensed software in Asia Pacific dropped to 57 percent in 2017 from 61 percent in 2015, representing commercial value of $16.4 billion (526 billion baht) . Thailand's unlicensed software rate decreased to 66 percent in 2017 from 69 percent in 2015, representing commercial value of $714 million (22.84 billion baht). That means software installed on 66 out of 100 PCs in Thailand was unlicensed.

"The fact that Thailand's rate of unlicensed software fell by 3 points is a positive sign – but Thailand remains significantly behind competitors in Asia Pacific where the average rate of unlicensed software use is 57 percent. The present rate of unlicensed software in Thailand indicates that Thailand's software compliance and its environment of IT security risk management still need significant improvement," said Varunee Ratchatapattanakul, Thailand Country Manager, BSA I The Software Alliance.

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. 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.

"Thailand's digital economy is growing, and software has become one of the most ubiquitous and essential tools Thai businesses use to perform their most fundamental everyday task. They should not miss out on the economic and security benefits that well-managed software provides. 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 reduce software costs and boost bottom lines," said Mr. Sawney.

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 (11.49 trillion baht) 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 spark the economy and improve modern life. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 60 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. Follow BSA at @BSAnews.