Intrusion detection set for growth

Worldwide intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS) product revenue is forecasted to rocket to $1.3bn by 2006.

Sales reached $105m in the first quarter of this year, up only one per cent from the fourth quarter of 2002, but growth is on the way, according to analyst firm Infonetics Research.

Its latest quarterly market share and forecasts study found that the market is tight, with ISS on top at 20 per cent and Cisco close behind at 16 per cent.

But the analyst predicted that this would change rapidly as new companies moved into the market.

Jeff Wilson, executive director of Infonetics Research, said: "The IDS/IPS market is experiencing some disruptive technology shifts right now.

"Though there will be continued growth in 2003, the market really takes off in 2004 due to increased global demand from customers of all sizes, and innovations in IDS/IPS technology that make it easier to use, more accurate, and widely available."

The analyst found that, during the first quarter of this year, political instability and Sars, combined with a flurry of acquisitions, slowed the IDS/IPS market.