Firms complacent over antivirus

Good news for the channel, argues McAfee.

UK businesses are still walking a tightrope when it comes to virus protection, according to independent research commissioned by Network Associates' McAfee Security division.

But it means that the channel can cash in on the lack of understanding among UK firms, the security specialist has claimed.

Research firm Vanson Bourne questioned 100 UK IT managers last month on behalf of McAfee. The study revealed that companies are confident that the security measures they have in place are sufficient for their networks.

Some 82 per cent of respondents suffered a virus attack in the past 12 months, but 92 per cent believed that they had enough resources to manage security.

The research also revealed that firms are too slow to update their protection. Only 15 per cent update antivirus software hourly, with 40 per cent updating weekly or even monthly.

A total of 56 per cent of respondents were convinced that outsourcing security would not improve effectiveness. Just 35 per cent would consider such a move.

Around 30 per cent said that cost put them off outsourcing, 18 per cent admitted a lack of confidence in third-party management and 22 per cent cited internal policies as the biggest inhibitor.

Resellers now have an ideal opportunity to convince firms to outsource their security, according to Sal Viveros, director at McAfee ASaP.

"The biggest problem is lack of education and awareness on outsourcing among firms. McAfee is developing more channel-friendly services and now is a good time for resellers to get involved in hosting security," he explained.

Jeremy Stokes, director at business service provider c-mi, said: "This is a huge opportunity for the channel. Outsourcing was exclusively a large corporate strategy, but more small to medium sized enterprises are looking to outsource and reduce their fixed cost base.

"Offering security services to customers rather than shipping boxed product is a help to the channel and we are confident that we can create a new marketplace with the help of McAfee."