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Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important in IT, it is claimed.

Ian Kilpatrick, the chairman of the Wick Hill Group, makes his comments in online resource News Blaze, arguing that, in general, computing performs poorly in relation to green issues.

The sector uses considerable power, toxic materials and air conditioning, he continues.

However, consumer demand is causing this to change within the computer security field, Mr Kilpatrick asserts.

"Companies are looking more and more at implementing green policies, both in their use of IT systems and in the design, manufacture and disposal of computer equipment," he tells the website.

IT security staff may want to consider using integrated appliances as this could "significantly" reduce the power consumption, Mr Kilpatrick notes.

Online resource Business Green recently urged firms to cut power consumption, highlighting research conducted by energy giant E.ON which revealed smaller firms are the most likely to encourage staff to conserve energy.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent)