Central to the act are a series of National Privacy Principles (NPPs) governing the handling, collection, use and disclosure of personal information. According to industry pundits, organisations of all sizes are reviewing the procedures associated with information and data management as a result.
In an effort to take advantage of the increased interest ASX listed MSP eSec is working through referring partners such as legal agencies, leveraging sales and providing advice regarding the requirements the legislation places on businesses.
eSec CFO Felicity Stoward said the company expects the market to grow and diversify in 2002.
-We have already noticed in increase in demand for our services in the banking and finance sector, as well as through utilities. A lot of businesses are having to think quite seriously how they are protecting their customer information," Stoward said. -An improvement in the general health of the economy should also lead to brighter times ahead."
According to Stoward eSec is playing an increasingly important consultative role within the market, and she expects to see a wider range of companies take up a managed security option, as the need for more stringent procedures becomes more apparent.
-Previously we were targeting the technical side of companies, as they were the most aware of the difficulties," Stoward said. -But these days we are seeing more interest from areas like healthcare."
In preparation for an increasingly active market IT outsourcer Unisys, has ramped up its relationship with security vendor Check Point to roll manages security services out to mid-sized companies.
In part of a global agreement Unisys has been named a premier partner in the managed security services area. In a similar vein to eSec Unisys will provide increased consultative services designed to provide the policy basis for the implementation of security procedures.
Shelly Houghton MSP business manager Aust NZ for Check Point says that while on the one hand the growth will lead to diversification in the MSP marketplace, she believes there is sufficient growth to warrant any increases.
-MSPs are not new," Houghton said. -But initially Australia wasn't as quick a marketplace as the US or Europe. We are now seeing that growth coming through."
However, according to Houghton the growth will ultimately attract ISPs and telcos into the market, as they begin to offer managed security as part of a premium service.
