Information Security Spending on the Rise, CompTIA Survey Reveals.

One-fifth of tech budgets now allocated for security

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- Spending on security technology, training, assessments, and certification now accounts for one-fifth of total technology budgets, according to research from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

A survey of 1,070 organizations found that on average, they spent 20 percent of their total technology budget in 2006 on security-related expenses. That's up from 15 percent in 2005, and 12 percent in 2004.

Organizations also expect to increase spending across all areas related to security in the next 12 months. Nearly one-half of respondents to the CompTIA survey said they intend to increase spending on security-related technologies; and one-third of respondents expect to increase spending on security training. Among those expecting to increase spending, the average increase is in the range of 19-23 percent, regardless of area.

The survey also showed that for each dollar spent on security, about 42 cents is allocated for technology product purchases; 17 cents for security-related processes; 15 cents for training; 12 cents for assessments; 9 cents for certification; and the balance on other items.

Antivirus software, firewalls and proxy servers continue to be the top technologies for security enforcement, utilized by nearly all organizations. The past two years have seen a significant increase in the use of multiple security enforcement technologies to combat attacks, including firewalls, proxy servers, intrusion detection systems, physical access control, multi-factor authentication, and other technologies.

CompTIA commissioned TNS, a global market insight and information group, to conduct the study to identify current IT security practices and highlight security challenges confronted by organizations of varying sizes and sectors. For more information on the study please visit: http://www.comptia.org/sections/research.aspx.

About CompTIA

In 2007, CompTIA is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Just as the information technology (IT) industry it serves has grown, CompTIA has also enjoyed remarkable growth over the past 25 years. The organization was founded by representatives of five micro-computer dealerships working together to find better ways to do business. Today, CompTIA has more than 22,000 member companies in over 100 countries around the world; and serves as the voice of the world's $1 trillion-plus IT industry. CompTIA is committed to advancing the long-term success and growth of the IT industry by helping organizations maximize the benefits they receive from their investments in technology; and by helping individuals to obtain the skills and credentials they need for productive careers in IT. For more information, please visit: www.comptia.org.

About TNS

TNS is a global market insight and information group. Our strategic goal is to be recognised as the global leader in delivering value-added information and insights that help our clients to make more effective decisions. As industry thought leaders, our people deliver innovative thinking and excellent service to global organisations and local clients worldwide. We work in partnership with our clients, meeting their needs for high-quality information, analysis and foresight across our network of over 70 countries. We are the world's foremost provider of custom research and analysis, combining in-depth industry sector understanding with world-class expertise in the areas of Retail and Shopper Insights, Stakeholder Management, New Product Development, and Brand and Communications. We are a major supplier of consumer panel, media intelligence and internet, TV and radio audience measurement services. TNS is the sixth sense of business. www.tnsglobal.com