Data loss fears to trigger DRM software boom

Concerns over the potential loss of client data and important proprietary financial information will generate a boom in the market for software that protects such data, a new study has found.

The digital rights management (DRM) market is expected to balloon out to US$274 million (AU$388 million) by 2008, from US$36 million (AU$51 million) in 2003, according to market research company Jupiter Research, which surveyed over 800 corporate IT buyers and found that almost all businesses hold fears over data loss.

Digital rights management software helps companies protect email and other digital files. While the market has been slow to develop, large players such as Adobe and Microsoft have been eyeing up prospects in the DRM space in recent months.

"Financial services, high-tech manufacturing and government sectors are expected to lead the adoption of corporate DRM solutions that facilitate secure, controlled document delivery and ensure the integrity of sensitive documents both within and beyond the corporate firewall," said Jupiter analyst Peter Sargent, who led the study.

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