Infonetics Research: Network security market up 4%; strong drivers counteract economic downturn

• Press Release
• Source: Infonetics Research
• On Tuesday December 2, 2008, 3:40 pm EST

CAMPBELL, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Dec 2, 2008 -- Communications market research firm Infonetics Research reports that worldwide sales of network security appliances and software increased 4% between 2Q08 and 3Q08 to $1.44 billion.

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Infonetics' latest report, Network Security Appliances and Software, shows that all world regions -- North America, Asia Pacific, EMEA, and CALA -- increased network security spending in the 3rd quarter in the low to high single-digit percents.

"Almost every security vendor we talked to mentioned concerns about the economy, but most did not see significant weakness in 3Q and are seeing minimal effects on the pipeline for 4Q and beyond. Drivers for deploying security in large part are divorced from macro-economic drivers, and though business growth and expansion is a driver for security spending, contraction caused by declines in corporate revenue is being offset by more pressing drivers, including regulation and compliance, cost-saving security investments, service provider spending on security, and the explosive growth in the number, variety, and volume of threats," said Jeff Wilson principal analyst at Infonetics Research.

Wilson added: "The downturn in the global economy didn't start in October; we've been watching the slowly degrading global macro-economic situation for the last year and had already factored many of its effects into our forecasts. As a result, we've made only a half-percent adjustment to our security forecast compared to last quarter's report, mostly due to consolidation in the finance sector."

Other highlights from the report:

 
--  Cisco remains the revenue-leading vendor overall with 40% of total
    network security appliances and software in 3Q08, followed by Juniper and
    Check Point
--  Worldwide sales of in-line and traditional network-based IDS and IPS
    products jumped 21% in 3Q08, with strong performances by Cisco, ISS,
    McAfee, and TippingPoint
--  Double-digit annual growth is forecast through 2010 for the IDS/IPS
    market

Infonetics' network security appliances and software forecast made in August 2008 was right on target with 3Q08 actuals, and the forecast made a year ago in November 2007 was within 3% of actuals.

Infonetics' report tracks 3Com/TippingPoint, Alcatel-Lucent, Array, Celestix, Check Point, Cisco, Citrix, CA, D-Link, Enterasys, F5, Fortinet, GTA, Intrusion, Juniper, ISS, McAfee, Nokia, Nortel, Secure Computing, SonicWALL, Sourcefire, Symantec, WatchGuard, ZyXEL, and others. The report provides worldwide and regional market size and forecasts and worldwide market share for integrated security appliances in 6 price categories, secure routers, SSL VPN gateways, VPN and firewall software, and inline and traditional network-based intrusion detection and prevention (IDS/IPS) products.

For report highlights, log in to Infonetics' online portal from www.infonetics.com (see Network Security). For sales, contact Larry Howard, vice president, at larry@infonetics.com or +1 (408) 583-3335.

Infonetics Research (www.infonetics.com) is an international market research and consulting firm serving the communications industry since 1990. A leader in defining and tracking emerging and established technologies in all world regions, Infonetics helps clients plan, strategize, and compete more effectively.

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     Press Contact:
     Jeff Wilson
     Principal Analyst, Network Security
     Infonetics Research
     (408) 583-3337
     Email Contact