Australian businesses are to spend 48 percent more on security software by 2005, climbing to a high of AU$1,443 million, according to an industry survey.
Australian research organisation IDC has forecast Australian business expenditure on packaged security software will grow from AU$206 million in 2000 to reach AU$1,443 million in 2005.
The report - called Internet Security in Australia: End User Perspectives and Software Market Analysis and Forecast, 2000-2005 - is based on a survey of 250 Australian IT departments.
"For companies implementing eBusiness initiatives, security and privacy options aren't value-added features. They're core requirements for conducting business," IDC's Program Manager for the Australian Enterprise and Internet Software market intelligence program Natasha David said.
"While the adoption of security mechanisms like antiviral tools is ubiquitous, enterprises are already looking ahead exploring technologies such as digital certificates to enhance their eCommerce operations."
According to the report, the antiviral (AV) software market is the most mature of the security software market segments and is highly commoditised, and IDC expects "antiviral products to disappear into suites."
"Antiviral software tools will [become] a feature in other products and services and the increasing availability of Internet-based AV technology will sharply reduce retail sales," David said.
Furthermore, the report found that ISPs and ASPs will increasingly provide antiviral tools as a value-added service, eliminating the need for corporations and consumers to purchase and update these products.
