Security software sales set to soar

Resellers are being urged to 'get in on the act' as analysts predict a 22 per cent annual growth in security software sales.

Resellers are being urged to 'get in on the act' as analysts predict a 22 per cent annual growth in security software sales.

Industry analyst Dataquest predicts that this growth will push the market to $3.2bn this year and will sustain the growth until at least 2004, by which time it will be worth $6.7bn.

Carolyn DiCenzo, chief analyst at Dataquest, said that the internet is creating fresh opportunities for those who want to break into corporate systems or spread viruses, in response to which vendors are looking to strengthen and expand their security portfolio.

Conal Mannion, research director at Gartner, said that as companies increase their connectivity, they increase their exposure to hackers and costly viruses. "There is a change from security being viewed as a nuisance to being viewed as an enabler. Companies that do security well are the organisations people will choose to do business with," said Mannion.

Ian Kilpatrick, group managing director at networking and infrastructure distributor Wick Hill, itself a target for unsuccessful hackers over the past week, said resellers should make the most of this uptake in security software. Companies are turning more to security as a solution rather than just a firewall which can be 'stuck in' and forgotten about.

"There is more knowledge and demand for security within the channel, and our six-month sales figures prove this. Companies want greater functionality and greater protection. Resellers should make the most of this opportunity and provide their customers with the solutions they need," he said.