Press Release

IDC Government Insights Announces IT Security Trends for Western European Government Sector

UK, January 25, 2013 — A new study from IDC Government Insights reveals that security and privacy are the top business and IT priorities for Western European governments in 2013.

The study analyzes IT security adoption and investment plans for the Western European government sector and investigates the impact of cloud computing and mobile on IT security. It summarizes the results of IDC Government Insights' annual survey of government IT and non-IT executives in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the U.K.

The survey also found that:

  • Most respondents plan to invest in maintenance of existing security solutions — up to 69% for endpoint security — whereas fewer respondents plan to invest in net new solutions, enhancements, or replacements, with a maximum of 36% of executives planning to invest in new or enhanced network security solutions.
  • The increase in the variety of opportunities and threats brought about by cloud, mobile, social, and Big Data is driving government CIOs toward a risk-management-oriented approach for security and privacy management.
  • The U.K. government sector is the most advanced in terms of ability to deal with new risks of third-generation platforms, in particular cloud computing.

"Governments should consider federated IAM policies and solutions to enable effective access to information and services," said Silvia Piai, research manager, IDC EMEA Government Insights. "They should review their IT security capabilities to focus more on risk management rather than trying to ban use of consumer devices and applications."

The study, Western Europe Government Sector IT Security Trends, 2012–2013 (IDC Government Insights #GIPP09U, December 2012), is the first in a series of studies that analyzes the results of IDC Government Insights' annual survey. Other studies will analyze cloud computing, mobile, social, Big Data, and enterprise solution investments.

For more information or to arrange a one-on-one briefing with IDC Government Insights analysts, please contact Kanupriya at kanupriya@idc.com.

About IDC Government Insights

IDC Government Insights assists government policy, program, and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers that serve them, in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of government and IT industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing the federal/central and local/provincial governments. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-gi.com, email info@idc-gi.com, or call 571.296.8060. Visit the IDC Government Insights Community at http://idc-insights-community.com/government.

For more information, please contact:

Kanupriya
kanupriya@idc.com
+44 20898 77111