IT Outsourcers Enhance Buyers' Options For Enterprise Managed Security Services

One of the biggest challenges facing IT decision-makers today is balancing the cost of security measures against risks that are becoming increasingly sophisticated, common, and devastating. IT services clients increasingly bundle security services into their comprehensive outsourcing deals with major full-service providers like IBM, Northrop Grumman, and Wipro. Managed security services (MSS) now accounts for more than $3 billion a year of major service provider revenue, and business growth is accelerating as IT clients continue to sharpen the focus on security. To help IT managers make better provider choice decisions for managed security services, Forrester surveyed 14 of the largest global comprehensive IT service providers about their current offerings. We found that managed security services will be a major IT theme for 2008 — leading to rapid growth of MSS bundled into broader service offerings that include consulting as well as long-term services. Clients now have more options to choose from in selecting a managed security service provider with good solution alignment to business strategy and requirements.