IT security solutions likely to attract more investment

Dubai: Investment in IT security solutions in the Gulf states is expected to continue to increase over the next couple of years as the quality of IT infrastructure continues to improve in the region.

Increased internet penetration necessitates securing more access points, thereby requiring more spending on IT security solutions. In addition, with the increased usage of converged mobile devices or smartphones, a substantial portion of internet access happens on mobile devices, and this, in turn, requires further investment in security, Ranjit Rajan, Senior research analysts, IDC MEA, told Gulf News.

Spending on IT security software and appliances (excluding services) in the Gulf states is forecast to reach $350 million in 2010, an increase of around 13 per cent compared to $310 million in 2009.

Around two per cent of IT spending, which is expected to touch $15 billion this year, is expected to be spent on security software and appliances (excluding services). Saudi Arabia remains the largest market in the region, followed by the UAE. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are estimated to contribute about 75 per cent of IT security while other Gulf states will contribute the remainder.

Rajan said about 70 per cent of IT security spending will be driven by the telecommunications, government and finance sectors and this has been the case over the last two years as security remains among the top spending priorities for IT managers.

IT security is expected to remain a concern for business in the region for many years. The ever-increasing volume of malware coupled with the necessity of modern enterprises to maintain round-the-clock business availability will drive spending. As regional companies make strides in the global marketplace, they often see that a robust IT security system is a must-have for them to be able to compete globally.

Controlling cybercrime is a challenging task, Rajan said, and requires constant monitoring of networks by authorities and stringent implementation of legislation. Companies, on the other hand, must have the robust security policies in place that are easily understood and adhered to by employees, risk assessment tools that allow them to be more proactive, and above all, processes that ensure all security systems are up to date with the latest signatures.

As internet penetration continues to rise and mobile technologies continue to spread, exposure to data and identity theft will remain a main concern.

Companies are going to have to focus on mobile security solutions and work on having properly defined mobile security policies. An increased mobile workforce produces a large volume of data on the move, IT departments need to secure laptops and smart phones to prevent the loss of this data through theft or accidents, he said.

Countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are implementing national identity initiatives, through which they will issue smart cards carrying citizens' biometric data and other crucial information.

He said ID cards maybe helpful in identifying people engaging in cybercriminal activities as most of the information can be tracked centrally. However, the chances of identity theft can increase if proper steps are not taken to secure the card's information.