According to CompTIA's 7th Annual Trends in Information Security survey, the majority of firms in the US and abroad plan to increase or maintain spending on IT security in 2009.

Forty-five percent of IT professionals in large US firms (500+ employees) report planned increases in spending on IT security technologies in 2009 according to the survey, while 52% say they'll keep their budget at the 2008 level. In India and China the planned increases are even more significant. Strong majorities of Indian (68%) and Chinese (64%) firms expect to increase their spending on security in 2009.

Worldwide, concern over browser-based attacks increased 13 percentage points year-over-year to 58%, while social engineering threats leaped 11 points to 30%. In China, IT professionals voiced concern over data theft, which increased in importance from 52% in 2007 to 63% in 2008.

In addition to comprehensive industry research, CompTIA offers other programs that address IT security issues including a new Security Trustmark accreditation that establishes security best practices for IT solution providers.

To learn more about how IT security issues differ around the world or to get more information on CompTIA's IT security programs, stop by the CompTIA booth (#332) during RSA Conference exhibit hours.