Information Security Trumps Cost-cutting

By Greg McNevin

August 25, 2008: To medium-sized companies, as a business issue information security is more important than reducing costs, so says a new survey from Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions.

The survey of 202 ICT decision-makers from U.S. companies found that the perception of future success is tied closely with information security, followed by cost reductions and improved customer service.

Conducted by the Midmarket Group in April this year, the survey examined the role and importance of technology in addressing business issues, and found that 61 percent of those surveyed plan to increase spending on information technology (IT) in the coming year, and only 10 percent expected budget cuts.

Furthermore, 19 percent of midsize companies expressed a high level of satisfaction with how their companies use IT to address business priorities, whereas the rest are only somewhat, or not satisfied.

“These findings affirm what we’re hearing from our business partners, [and that is] information security offerings are a top priority,” said Mark Taylor, vice president and general manager of Arrow ECS Midmarket Group.

Indeed, 78 percent rated security as a very important business issue, however, only 32 percent reported that they were “very satisfied” with how their company is addressing security concerns.

The survey also found that IT decision-makers thought that technology consultants and providers could improve in the areas of cost of services and solutions (52 percent), technical knowledge (44 percent) and understanding of their business issues (40 percent).

29 percent say they turn to local IT consultants for strategic and tactical advice, while 59 percent look internally and 40 percent do their research on the Internet.

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