Channel to cash in on soaring security spend

Spending on information security to near $77bn next year

Security-focused managed-service providers could be set for explosive growth in the coming two years as Gartner forecasts a boom in spending on security services.

This year alone, worldwide spending on information security will reach $71.1bn (£42.89bn) – up 7.9 per cent on 2013 – driven by a surge in popularity for data-loss prevention technology. By the end of 2015, overall spending will grow another 8.2 per cent to $76.9bn.

The analyst said the growth in new IT trends – mobile, cloud, social and big data – which it calls the Nexus of Forces, is behind the growth.

In four years' time, more than 50 per cent of organisations will use security services that specialise in either data protection, risk management or infrastructure management, Gartner said.

"Many organisations continue to lack the appropriate skills necessary to define, implement and operate appropriate levels of data protection and privacy-specific security controls," Gartner said.

"This lack of skills leads organisations to contract security consulting firms that specialise in data protection and security risk management to address regulatory compliance demands and enhance their security postures.

"This new dynamic has given rise to significant growth throughout the globe for managed security services."