Security is the IT Thing

Research firms across the country are releasing study results that show solutions providers are solidly positioned to profit from selling IT security and integration to end users such as retailers, health care companies, government departments, financial institutions and more. The key is that such demand requires traditional partners to work with others who specialize in security. There are countless areas of growth in IT security. This month, we look at the continued need for network security.

If you think the topic of network security is old news, consider the latest report from the SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) Institute that identified more than 600 new Internet security vulnerabilities during the first quarter of 2005. SMBs, especially, often dont have the manpower or resources to keep up with constant threats to their networks, and look to partners to help keep their information secure. Analysts say IT companies are responding in kind by releasing security risk-management software, often available through the channel, that helps end users deal with the onslaught of malicious traffic. Skybox Security Inc., for example, has developed its answer to the problem Skybox View, which applies to sectors including utilities, hospitality, freight and shipping, and health care.

The introduction of such products is well-timed because, according to research firm In-Stat, the integrated security appliance market is poised for explosive growth, reaching $3.3 billion by 2009. Integrated security appliances bring together firewall and VPN capabilities, intrusion detection and prevention, anti-virus and even content filtering, anti-spam, and anti-spyware. In-Stat also found that many security appliance vendors are partnering with managed security service providers to offer their wares as outsourced services. The demand for security appliances is coming mostly from SMBs, In-Stat says.

Even better, a recent survey from In-Stat further shows that respondents plan to spend 50 percent of their budgets on network security in 2005. That should alleviate any partners hesitancy toward adding or augmenting such services to his or her portfolio.

Part of network security concerns the continued implementation of wireless LANs in the SMB market. This adoption gives partners more chances to override the myth of network insecurity, and help clients choose optimal systems. As the number of wireless workers increase, the technologies and software have kept up to make a wireless network as secure as any wired network. The key is taking advantage of available technology, notes the Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance (ITSPA). SMBs need to purchase and use appropriate security technology to complement the wireless environment.

The organization says less than one-third of SMBs use wireless applications because they think it will expose their networks to hackers and other threats. This opens the door for agents, resellers, integrators and other partners to help SMBs choose wireless products and services that will bolster their productivity and efficiency. [T]he majority of SMBs using mobile and wireless devices in the office are interested in adding utility applications, such as e-mail and contact management to enable on-the-road access to basic customer information,” says ITSPA President Russell Morgan. “But solution providers responding to our survey also believe that SMBs could benefit from other applications, especially adoption of technology to support sales and field staff.”

All in all, with hackers and spammers finding more ways to infiltrate and expose data, SMBs are relying on solutions providers to help them stay steps ahead of the threats facing their companies, and analysts do not foresee abatement of demand any time soon.