Sectors such as healthcare have a driving need for action in IT security – and are also doing more than other industries to increase their investments in better protected IT infrastructure, according to new research from the it-sa 2018 IT security expo and congress (October 9-11, Nuremberg).
Its ‘IT Security Trend Barometer’, an exhibitor survey conducted in advance of the event’s opening, questioned respondents about a range of issues and concerns affecting their business. Respondents saw the signs set for growth, as consistently high demand for products and services boosts sales and creates new employment opportunities.
The surveyed it-sa exhibitors see the greatest increase in demand from the healthcare industry: 84% regard this sector as the leading growth driver overall, followed by energy utility companies at 81%, and industry and government, both rated at 80%.
The legislative effectuation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR – last May, has led revenues for 2018 to grow: some 66% of IT security specialists polled anticipated a ‘positive’ or ‘very positive’ impact on their business.
More than 75% of the surveyed companies reported that they have increased sales since it-sa 2017. More than half of them have also recruited additional staff.
Executive responsibility for IT security is the main concern among all respondents. Irrespective of company size. Most respondent organisations place control of their IT security with ‘company management’. The survey indicated that this was the case for 71% of large enterprises, 62% of medium-sized companies, and 55% of small businesses.
The survey’s full results are at www.it-sa.de/trend-barometer.