Gartner says four vectors are transforming the security software market

The security software market is undergoing a dramatic transformation due to four key developments, according to Gartner, Inc. The use of advanced analytics, expanded ecosystems, adoption of software as a service (SaaS) and managed services, and the prospect of punitive regulations are causing enterprises to rethink their security and risk management software requirements and investments.

7 years ago Posted in

"The overall security market is undergoing a period of disruption due to the rapid transition to cloud-based digital business and technology models that are changing how risk and security functions deliver value in an organisation," said Deborah Kish, principal research analyst at Gartner. "At the same time, the threat landscape and rise in the number of high-impact security incidents are also creating demand for security technologies and innovations that deliver greater effectiveness."

Four vectors are transforming the security software market:

By 2020, Advanced Security Analytics Will Be Embedded in at Least 75 Per Cent of Security Products
Enterprises are increasingly seeking products that incorporate "smarter" predictive and prescriptive analytic technologies, which help warn users of potential security incidents and provide guidance on optimal responses. These more-advanced analytical capabilities are driven by a variety of underlying technologies, such as heuristics, artificial intelligence/machine learning and other techniques. Successful vendors will work with customers and prospects to understand use cases where analytics will deliver significant value and augment limited security staff and resources.

Acquiring and Integrating Products and Technologies Will Be a Critical Strategy to Increase Market Share and Enter New Markets
Given the preponderance of startups and smaller vendors pursuing innovative approaches to security problems, acquisition, integration and consolidation are highly effective strategies to increase market share and enter completely new markets. In many cases, mature vendors in search of continued growth are acquiring faster-growing companies from emerging adjacent markets. In other cases, vendors are optimising profits by consolidating similar products under a single brand, therefore leveraging economies of scale by combining core functions, such as development, support, sales and marketing.

End Users' Quest for Flexibility Will Increase Adoption of SaaS
Security buyers are making security product investment decisions that support digital business, fit their current challenges and deliver performance value. Gartner's recent end-user security spending survey indicates that, in order to do this, they have a preference for products in an as-a-service format. SaaS for security and risk management is becoming critical as customers transition to digital business practices. However, providers must consider the financial implications of maintaining support for legacy security products while investing in an as-a-service product or managed service.

The Regulatory Environment Will Create Opportunities for Security Software Providers
The EU General Data Protection Regulation will come into effect on 25^th May, 2018 and could see organisations facing heavy fines should they receive a single complaint for mishandling private data. Punitive regulations will create board-level fears, driving security software budget decisions based on the potential financial impact of fines and noncompliance. Consequently, organisations will look to providers with products that provide the needed visibility and control of their data. Providers should identify the key regulatory requirements and constraints in target geographies by working with legal counsel to deliver product and service choices that will alleviate board-level fears.

89% of security leaders think traditional security approaches are failing in the face of modern threats

Research shows ‘game needs to be changed,’ with security innovation years behind that of the...

Costs, cyberattacks and compliance - cause for concern

Node4 has released its Mid-Market IT Priorities Report 2021. The independent report reveals that...

Atos launches Atos OneCloud Sovereign Shield

Atos has launched Atos OneCloud Sovereign Shield, a set of solutions, methodologies, and...

Westcon-Comstor expands Zscaler distribution agreement

New distribution agreement set to bolster Westcon-Comstor’s Zero Trust offering in more markets...

Avast research finds growing security challenges for SMBs

Research from Avast has found that employees in almost a third (31%) of Small and Medium...

Security and governance among top IT needs

This year, over half of MSPs or their end customers have been attacked by ransomware but only 53%...

Urgent need for new way to discuss business risk

Trend Micro has published new research revealing that 90% of IT decision makers claim their...

Cyber budgets actually shrank during the pandemic

Cyber consultants call on businesses to act now, or risk budgets shrinking further in ‘real...