The IT security market in SA is picking up as a growing number of organisations are striving to achieve security compliance, says a local provider of security compliance solutions.
More and more queries are being received about security compliance, especially from large and medium companies, says IDXOnline`s products manager Bruce Bean.
"We are still behind the curve in terms of forced security compliance when compared to regions such as the US and Europe, but it is starting to happen here. Many local companies are investigating the compliance issue and multinationals have to comply with IT security requirements," Bean states.
IDXOnline is the local distributor for US-based Bindview, which has concluded a strategic alliance with global technology services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The partnership will expand both companies` partner programmes.
Through the alliance between Bindview and TCS, there are plans to bring to market IT security compliance solutions that combine TCS`s security assessment services with Bindview`s compliance and vulnerability management products.
Locally, there is a growing trend for companies to demand security compliance from their suppliers, which is an additional driver for security awareness, Bean notes.
"Because auditors are getting strict with their clients, companies are expecting a higher level of compliance from their suppliers," he says.
As a result, he adds, more organisations are moving towards the appointment of security officers, whose functions are separate from those of the CIO. "But the challenge is that there is still a shortage of skilled security practitioners in SA."
However, as companies begin to realise that IT security is becoming increasing important, there is a growing demand for staff training and many are considering environment change management, he says.
Many organisations are most vulnerable to internal security threats, while their perimeter security is often adequate, says Bean.
"Today`s regulatory landscape is reshaping how organisations meet rigorous IT security compliance requirements for demonstrating due care and passing critical audits."
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