Projected global spending on security software is forecast to reach $10.5bn (£5.3bn) in 2008, up 11.2 per cent on estimates for 2007, and reach more than $13.1bn (£6.6bn) in 2012, according to analyst Gartner.

Last week’s Information Security (InfoSec) show in London revealed signs that security vendors are gearing up for the task.

The adoption of sophisticated security measures by smaller companies will drive an increase in security software sales.

However, price erosion will take effect as more buyers explore software as a service options, said Gartner.

“In the long run, we expect to see more converged security products, with increased pricing pressure on vendors,” said principal Gartner research analyst Ruggero Contu.

Increased mobile and remote working will heighten the security risk. Many companies still do not implement adequate measures for the control of confidential data copied to USB sticks.

While this is likely to fuel increased spending on next-generation firewalls, the implementation of identity and access management systems are more likely to show a clearer return on investment, said Gartner.

According to a survey of 1,000 enterprise IT directors by research company Vanson Bourne, 73 per cent are concerned enough to block the use of free instant messaging (IM) applications in their organisations.

Fear of data loss, time-wasting and other misuse were cited as reasons for the ban, while just 11 per cent had policies that allow IM, but monitor usage and content.