Data security now accounts for 10 percent of IT operating budgets

Companies are increasing their security budgets in response to growing concerns over the number and severity of data breaches, according to analyst Khalid Kark from Forrester Research. As a result, data security now averages 10 percent of overall IT operating budgets for 2008. Indeed, this figure represents an increase of 8 percent from last year. Furthermore, a survey of more than 1,200 security decision makers in the United States shows that 21 percent expect to increase their security-related budget in 2009; another 6 percent believes that their security spending will decrease. Kark notes that these figures are impressive numbers bearing the current economic climate in mind  It certainly appears that CEOs and CIOs are starting to understand the importance of giving greater attention to security needs.

For more on this:
- check out this Network World article