http://pictures.directnews.co.uk/liveimages/Earth_1071_18790842_0_0_7005951_100.jpg

The demand for IT technical support in emerging countries is causing increased interest in the IT security sector, it has been claimed.

A new report, the Global IT Security Market Forecasts to 2012, suggests demand for IT security worldwide will grow by around 16 per cent in the next four years.

The increase will leave the industry worth around $16 billion (£8.6 billion), with regions such as China and India helping to drive the growth.

Factors such as emerging areas and the growing importance of the internet for small and medium-sized enterprises, governments and consumers has resulted in a greater demand for IT security and software, the report states.

The study claims the market for IT security software is set to grow to $11.6 billion by 2012, while the security applications sector will reach around $4.09 billion.

Meanwhile, Microsoft last week announced changes to some of its IT services with the implantation of its Security Development Lifecycle.