Research & Markets: Microsoft Gears up to Become a Fully Fledged Vendor of IT Security Solutions

Business Wire, March 12, 2007

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c51963) has announced the addition of the Frost & Sullivan report: World Antivirus Markets to their offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research service on the World Anti-Virus Market investigates the key events in the anti-virus market of 2005. The study provides a competitive analysis, based on thorough research with the industry leaders; market forecasts per product and region, and an overview of key market drivers and restraints that impact on the market players.

Market Overview

Microsoft Gears up to Become a Full-fledged Vendor of IT Security Solutions

During 2005, Microsoft has made some steps that strongly suggest the company's intention of being a fully fledged IT-Security vendor. After the acquisition of Gecad in 2003, it was expected that the Redmond Giant was planning an entry in the consumer anti-virus market. However, in 2005, Microsoft acquired Sybari, a leading AV vendor focused on the enterprise server market, and has already started selling their Antigen products as Microsoft Antigen. In addition, Microsoft brought out beta-tests for additional anti-virus and anti-spyware consumer and enterprise products. All of these suggest that Microsoft intends to be a fully-fledged IT security vendor in the near future. The company's large marketing and branding power, along with expected lower price levels, constitute a considerable threat for established vendors, especially in the desktop and email server segments. Market prices for anti-virus products are expected to fall, starting in the consumer market.

Malware attacks used to be the realm of delinquent individuals with computer skills. Today, Malware attacks are being commercialised and used by the underground criminal industry, in order to make money. The report gives an insight into the nature of today's cybercrime, and recommends vendors to acquire specialised knowledge.

Increasingly Advanced Attacks Drive Market for Security Solutions

The world market for anti-virus solutions reached $3,269.4 million in 2005. The market is positively influenced by the raising number and the more malicious nature of virus and other attacks. Market maturity is expected to impact market growth in a negative way. Microsoft's entry into the market is expected to lead to a drop in price levels and a consequent slower growth. The North American market is the largest in 2005, with 43.6 per cent of the worldwide anti-virus market. However, its forecast compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for 2005-2012 is lower than the other regions. The Asia-Pacific region in particular stands out with a very high CAGR rate.

In the consumer sector, deployment of anti-virus products has spread from the early majority to the laggards, due to a rising number of Internet users, broadband connections and malware attacks. The top vendors, capturing over three quarters of the total market include Symantec, McAfee and Trend Micro. A second tier of vendors who account for over 10 percent of the total market include Sophos, Computer Associates, Microsoft, Panda Software, F-Secure and Kaspersky Lab.

Topics Covered

1. World Antivirus Market

- 1. Executive Summary

2. Market Definitions and Overview

- 1. Market Definitions

- 2. The Changing Nature of Threats and Implications on Technology

3. Market Drivers and Restraints

- 1. Market Drivers

- 2. Market Restraints

4. Market Trends

- 1. Demand Analysis

- 2. Product and Technology Trends

- 3. Pricing Trends

- 4. Distribution Trends

- 5. Legislation Trends

5. Market Forecasts

- 1. Regional Market Forecasts

- 2. Forecasts by Product Type

- 3. Forecast by Business Segment

6. Competitive Analysis

- 1. The Competitive Landscape

- 2. Market Leader

- 3. Market Challengers

- 4. Market Contenders

- 5. Emerging/Receding Players

- 6. Niche Competitors

- 7. Other Competitors

7. Recommendations

- 1. Recommendations

8. Frost & Sullivan Awards for the World Anti-Virus Market

- 1. Market Leadership Award

- 2. Market Penetration Leadership Award

- 3. Growth Strategy Leadership Award

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c51963