IDC Reveals 39.5% of SMBs Believes Virus Attacks Is The Greatest Threat to The Security of Their Networks

February 07, 2007

Singapore and Hong Kong, February 07, 2007 –According to IDC’s latest report “ Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Small, Medium-Sized, and Medium-Sized to Large Business Adoption of Wireless and Networking Infrastructure ” (Doc# AP747104N) , APEJ SMBs are particularly concerned with the introduction of viruses into their IT network, with 39.5% of the respondents citing this as the greatest threat to their companies' network, data, and Internet security.

"Main challenges faced by AP E J small- and medium-sized businesses in their adoption of wireless technologies and networking infrastructure include budget constraints, keeping up with the number and sophistication of virus attacks, lack of skilled staff, and keeping the technologies and network environment updated. Service providers can address these concerns with cost-effective, easy-to-manage solutions focusing on low total cost of ownership (TCO) and platform integration," says Walter Lee, Vice-President of SMB/Channels Research & Consulting at IDC Asia/Pacific.

About 32.0% of respondents expect their IT services budget to increase, while 28.0% expect their telecommunication services budget to increase in 2006. The outlook seems much brighter for the MB segment, with 46.4% of the respondents expecting an increase in their IT services budget.

By sub-region, companies in India show the largest increase in expected IT/telecommunications services spending in 2006, with 74.2% of respondents expected to increase their IT services budget, while 56.1% are expected to increase their telecommunication services budget in 2006.

This report, which is part of the ongoing IDC Asia/Pacific SMB syndicated research program, is written based on a survey that gives an in-depth view of t he small- and medium-sized businesses' present adoption and future deployment in the next 12 to 24 months of wireless technologies and networking infrastructure i n 11 Asia/Pacific countries across 16 vertical industries. Detailed analysis is conducted across a range of vertical industries, sub-regions, and company sizes.

Additionally, the survey provides in-depth information on the state from the end-user perspective on the wireless and networking market in terms of w ireless t echnology, e nterprise m obility solutions, IP telephony, networking e quipment, and network s ecurity by SMB companies across the APEJ region. Some of the primary issues covered include current and planned adoption behavior and budgeting, as well as service provider selection criterion.

Notes to Editor

The 11 sub-regions covered in the Asia/Pacific Small- and Medium-Sized Business Markets are Australia, Greater China (China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan), India, Korea, Southeast Asia (the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia)

Contact

Hazmi Yusof
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Tel: 603-2169-7526
Email: hyusof@idc.com

Chong Chee Kian
Events & Marketing Executive
Tel: +603-2169-7521
Fax : +603-2163-5098
Email:ckchong@idc.com