BSA survey shows better software management can improve security and boost bottom line

CANADA – June 5, 2018 – To reduce the risk of cyberattacks and boost their bottom line, businesses in Canada 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 Canada, 22 percent of software installed on computers was not properly licensed - a commercial value of $819 Million. This represents a 2 percent decrease compared with BSA’s prior study, released in 2016.

This rate of use has been influenced in part by important trends under way in Canada. As a mature market, the country has seen an increase of software subscriptions and software asset management programs.

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.

Media Contact:Annie Tracogna, Edelman CanadaPh: 416-850-0276[email protected]