Smartphone worries to fuel security spend

Forrester survey claims two in five firms will "significantly increase" spending on security kit this year

Safe bet: the network security market is set to enjoy growth this year

About two-fifths of firms are set to increase their IT security budget by five per cent or more this year, with many concerned by the ubiquity of consumer devices in the workplace.

Figures from Forrester Research reveal that 42 per cent of enterprises and 37 per cent of SMEs will increase spending on security kit by at least five per cent. Network security will be the area to enjoy the biggest increase, with two in five enterprises and 36 per cent of smaller firms planning to spend more in 2010.

Businesses' biggest security headache is the use of consumer technologies in the workplace, with 46 per cent expressing concern about the use of smartphones. Web 2.0 technologies are a worry for 38 per cent of respondents. More than four in five firms claimed managing vulnerabilities and complex threats will be a high priority this year.

Forrester analyst Jonathan Penn said: "As we move out of the recession, we expect to see security investments continue to grow, although the nature of that investment is changing."