Endpoint security is a major priority for IT decision-makers, according to a report released March 1, 2011, by IBM. The report is based on a survey of 289 IT execs conducted for IBM by Zogby International, and 90 percent of respondents say they are investing in resources to improve the management of endpoint security, including servers, PCs and laptops.

More half of respondents are also extending security to smartphones and other devices, with plans to increase spending in this area.

Additional key findings:

• Nearly three quarters (73 percent) of respondents currently allow so-called
• "nontraditional endpoints," such as mobile devices or tablets, to connect to their corporate networks
• More than one third (36 percent) of respondents feel that these devices are not adequately protected and would like to see their companies invest more in managing the security of smartphones, POS systems and other smart devices.
• Nearly 40 percent of respondents indicate that their company plans to increase its investment in security to manage and protect nontraditional endpoints.
•  80 percent of respondents expect their organization to add new endpoints to their network in 2011.
• While the vast majority (72 percent) of respondents say that PCs and laptops are the endpoints that pose the greatest danger to their firm's IT security, smartphones and tablets are viewed as a growing threat.
• 33 percent of all respondents acknowledge that the inability to have visibility into all of their endpoints is their greatest security concern.

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