IT Decision-Makers Identify Most Pressing Security Topics In Latest Sage Technology Roundtable
Need for Intrusion Detection Systems, concerns over wireless LAN security among the top issues of Roundtable participants
Natick, MA—April 21, 2003—Sage Research, Inc., a full-service market research and consulting firm, today announced it has published the findings of “Enterprise Network Security Issues,” the April 7 Sage Technology Roundtable. The session’s participants—nine IT and Telecom decision-makers and influencers from a variety of US companies—discussed Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), WLAN security, outsourcing, and other related issues. The complete transcript and summary report for “Enterprise Network Security Issues” are available for purchase at: http://sageresearch.com/RoundtableReports.html.
“Among the most interesting revelations of this Roundtable is that few of the participants are currently using Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), even though they identified the need for IDS to monitor frequent external and internal security breaches,” said Chris Neal, a research director at Sage Research. “Perhaps less of a surprise, but ranked high in importance, is that they are extremely apprehensive about wireless LAN security, to the extent that several have not deployed WLANs at all due to security concerns.”
The Sage Technology Roundtables is a quarterly series of online focus groups with qualified high-tech decision-makers that examines the critical issues surrounding a specific technology or service.
Sample Findings from “Enterprise Network Security Issues”
– Most companies have been affected by an Internet-borne virus or worm in the last 12 months. Maintaining current virus definitions on all client machines is a user-practice challenge for some.
– Enterprises are not very receptive to outsourcing security functions. Vulnerability scanning and intrusion detection are the best candidates for outsourced security services.
– Security concerns are impeding WLAN employment. Several participants have not deployed WLANs for this reason, citing a need for stronger encryption capabilities.
– Participants prefer SSL to IPSec for remote access. IPSec is perceived as harder to configure and manage, though it is more robust.
– Reputation and perceived industry leadership are the most important vendor selection criteria.
– Trade publications are the most common source of information for learning about new security products. Network World, InformationWeek, InternetWeek, and Windows 2000 Magazine were among those cited.
Sage Research selects Sage Technology Roundtable participants from the Sage Panel, which includes more than 5,000 IT professionals who evaluate, use, and purchase information technology-related products. Panel members include CIOs, CFOs, Network Managers, IS Managers, and COOs, representing companies of all sizes. Professionally trained Sage Research staff moderate the Sage Technology Roundtables, and participants are pre-screened for relevant technology knowledge and decision-making authority. Journalists are welcome to observe.
The Next Sage Technology Roundtable
Each Sage Technology Roundtable focuses on a particular technology, examining demand drivers and obstacles, features and functionality priorities, and vendor selection criteria. To participate in or observe the next Roundtable, visit http://sageresearch.com/FocusForm_a.htm. The next Roundtable topic is:
The Mobile Enterprise (Monday, July 7th, 7:00-8:30 pm EDT): This Roundtable will delve into key issues and needs surrounding mobility and wireless issues. Questions that will be addressed in this Roundtable include:
WLAN deployment: what are the key drivers and obstacles in the private enterprise network and public network “hot spots” for their customers?
Voice over WLAN: what are enterprise plans, and the corresponding management challenges?
Thin vs. Thick client architecture for mobile applications: how are IT managers balancing the trade-offs given unreliable mobile bandwidth availability?
Outsourcing: which mobile applications and services are enterprises most likely to outsource, and what are their key selection criteria?
Middleware for mobile applications: what challenges are companies facing, and what are the key shortcomings of current middleware specialized for mobile applications?
About Sage Research
Sage Research, Inc. is a full-service market research and consulting firm providing global demand-side research to technology product and service providers. With in-depth experience in the networking and telecommunications markets, Sage delivers actionable data and recommendations based on the most current qualitative and quantitative methods. Practice areas include customer loyalty, market segmentation, brand equity, business case validation, technology adoption, and product concept testing. Founded in 1993, Sage serves a broad client base that includes industry leaders and innovative start-ups. For more information, visit www.sageresearch.com.