IDC Says Security Market to Reach $45 Billion By 2006

IDC reported Tuesday that it expects the information technology security market to reach $45 billion in revenues by 2006. The predicted figures include software, hardware, and services together. Revenues in 2001 were about $17 billion.

"Although many IT markets declined from 2001 to 2002, a recent IDC survey shows security spending remains a top priority for most organizations," says Brian Burke, senior research analyst for IDC's Security Products service. "New corporate initiatives involving identity management and Web services will continue to fuel IT security growth over the next five years."

IDC thinks that success in each area of industry (software, hardware, and services) will be driven by increased demand; a return to market growth for security administration, authorization, and authentication; and popularity of security appliances.