Security market grows

Johannesburg, 18 Jan 2008

The South African IT security market is expected to grow to an estimated value of R6 574 million by 2011, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.5%.

This is according to BMI-TechKnowledge's latest report: SA IT Security Market Sizing and Forecast 2006 - 2011.

Phuculwa Lupuwana, BMI-T research analyst and author of the report, says the IT security software market segment has constantly been accounting for more than 50% of the total SA IT security market, followed by the IT security hardware and services market segments respectively.

BMI-T anticipates this trend will continue throughout the forecast period.

"Increase in mobile computing activities, including wireless Internet access, has removed the traditional IT security perimeters, thus compelling both corporate and individual users to seek out more stringent security solutions," explains Lupuwana.

He adds that BMI-T also found the growing complexity of IT environments, due to new and developing business processes and systems, is resulting in increased exposure to threats and higher risk, which in turn drives the IT security market.

According to Lupuwana, globalisation, regulatory compliance and corporate governance are impacting the way companies manage and store their business data, particularly for organisations that deal with, or are part of global companies. BMI-T expects IT security to play a crucial role in the selection of business partners and suppliers.

"Losses related to security breaches from both financial and business reputation points of view are increasingly becoming a reality for South African companies. IT security is now regarded as one of the critical areas of business continuity planning, with a growing focus on data security and integrity," says Lupuwana.

The significant number of mergers and acquisitions that took place over 2006 and 2007 serves as a proof of the rising demand for end-to-end security solutions, explains Lupuwana.

BMI-T believes that as more businesses realise the importance of IT security, this fuels the demand for various IT security solutions, including managed services. This solution presents opportunities for vendors to enter into service level agreements with businesses.

"Industries such as the telecommunications and the financial services sectors will continue to be on the forefront of IT security and business continuity adoption, due to their business risk levels. However, other industries, including the public sector, are expected to quickly catch up," concludes Lupuwana.