The Ponemon study comes in the wake of the disclosure that Dunn had hired private investigators back in May to identify a board member who was believed to be leaking confidential corporate information to outsiders. During the investigation, the outside firm obtained and analyzed the phone records of several journalists and board members by pretexting -- or impersonating -- them. The public outcry that resulted from the disclosure led Dunn to announce last week that she would step down from her position as HP chairwoman in January 2007. She will remain on the board and CEO Mark Hurd will take over as chairman.

The scandal also resulted in inquiries by the U.S. Department of Justice about the company's conduct and has prompted a congressional inquiry.