Survey Results Released At Forrester's Security Forum Show Future
Spending Projections Remain Healthy
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2008--Spending on IT
security will continue to grow next year, according to new data
unveiled by Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) on the first day
of its Security Forum. The Forrester Business Data Services survey,
which polled more than 1,200 North American enterprise and SMB
security decision-makers, found that 21 percent of respondents expect
to increase their IT security budgets in 2009, while nearly
three-quarters of those surveyed expect no cutbacks in their security
spending. Only 6 percent of respondents anticipate having to cut their
security budget next year despite the current economic uncertainty.
In his keynote address at the Security Forum, Forrester Research
Principal Analyst Khalid Kark noted that Security & Risk professionals
are now in a renaissance period, and security's influence is growing
within organizations. He also revealed the following data from the
study:
-- Security makes up 10 percent of overall IT operating budgets
in 2008, up from 8 percent last year.
-- Nearly 50 percent of respondents report to a board/CEO or an
executive committee. Security is no longer embedded within IT.
-- Data protection is critical. More than half of respondents
said that protecting corporate IP and customer data was their
top priority for the next 12 months.
-- Companies are realizing the significance of having business
continuity and disaster recovery plans in place. Forty-two
percent of respondents said it was very important, up from 33
percent from last year.
"This is an exciting time to be in security," said Kark. "We are
in a period of immense change in which we have the opportunity to
define the future of our profession. Security & Risk professionals are
faced with a rapidly changing technology landscape and business
environment. To achieve success in the role today, they need to be
open to new ideas and embrace change."
More than 250 Security & Risk professionals are attending
Forrester's Security Forum to learn how they can stimulate and promote
business change -- and protect the business amid them -- by
introducing a mix of governance practices, structured processes, and
new technologies. Speakers include industry leaders from AT&T,
Cigital, Eastman Kodak, Harland Clarke, People Security, Texas
Instruments, Verdasys, VeriSign and Verizon Business.
Additionally, participants are benefiting from three track
sessions designed specifically for Security & Risk professionals,
one-on-one sessions with Forrester analysts, peer networking, and a
technology showcase where 20 sponsors -- including platinum sponsor
VeriSign and gold sponsors Blue Coat, HP ProCurve, and Lumeta -- are
sharing their solutions.
Forrester's Leadership Boards' Security & Risk Management Council
also met prior to the Forum. The one-day program provided Board
members a valuable opportunity to understand how they and their peers
are effectively managing security and risk amid a rapidly changing
business environment. Many of the Boards' members also participated in
panels at the Forum.
About Forrester Research
Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) is an independent research
company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice to global
leaders in business and technology. Forrester works with professionals
in 19 key roles at major companies providing proprietary research,
consumer insight, consulting, events, and peer-to-peer executive
programs. For more than 25 years, Forrester has been making IT,
marketing, and technology industry leaders successful every day. For
more information, visit www.forrester.com.
(C) 2008, Forrester Research, Inc. All rights reserved. Forrester
is a registered trademark of Forrester Research, Inc.
CONTACT: Forrester Research, Inc.
Phil LeClare, +1-617-613-6441
Public Relations Manager
press@forrester.com
SOURCE: Forrester Research, Inc.
