Security Slideshow: U.S. SMB Security Spending Set to Soar In Coming Years

10% Growth

U.S. SMBs will spend more than $5.6 billion on security technology by 2015, representing an annual growth rate of 10%-12%.

Outpacing IT Spending

By comparison, IDC predicts that total IT spending at SMBs will increase at a rate of 5% to 6% over the next three years.

Six Core Areas

SMBs will invest their security spending most heavily in these six areas:• Endpoint• Network• Web• Messaging• Access management• Security vulnerability management

SaaS and Appliances

SMB spending on software-as-a-service and security appliances are both forecast by IDC to grow at double-digit rates in the coming years.

19%

Among companies with fewer than 100 employees, improving security and security management are "key IT spending priorities" for 19 percent of respondents, according to IDC's survey.

36%

Among medium-sized businesses with 100 to 999 employees, improving security and security management are "key IT spending priorities" for 36 percent of respondents.

Security Success

SMB security success can only be derived by covering these six elements, according to IDC: • An effective Web site• Education• Dedicated products• Appliances• SaaS• Channel support