Consumerization of IT Is a Major Priority but Business Value and Security Still in Question

FRAMINGHAM, MA--(Marketwire - Jan 24, 2012) - IDG Enterprise -- the media company comprising CFOworld, CIO, CIO Executive Council, Computerworld, CSO, DEMO, InfoWorld, ITworld and Network World -- releases the results from the Consumerizaton of IT in the Enterprise survey, examining end-users' expectations of consumer device use in the enterprise, the challenges this trend is creating for IT departments and the vendor requirements to become a trusted partner.

The survey, completed by more than 1,900 IT and security decision-makers from a range of industries, shows that the consumerization of IT trend is being embraced by a majority (72%) of the respondents' organizations, which provides employees flexibility on using personal/consumer devices to perform work tasks. Currently, smartphones (68%) are the employee owned device most supported by IT departments. The business benefits of the consumerization of IT trend are currently less tangible, with the largest positive impact contributing to user satisfaction (79%), user productivity (76%) and process efficiency collaboration (68%). While end-users see the benefits of consumerization of IT, organizations need to stay aware of adoption risks.

Security concerns were a trend throughout the study. When asked about the greatest challenge in embracing the consumerization of IT trend, respondents cited security (82%) and lack of control (55%). These concerns provide vendors with the opportunity to alleviate pain points and gain competitive advantage by offering products and services that provide security for devices (85%), integrate into the organization's IT architecture (83%) and manage the proliferation of devices (69%).

Key findings include:

• Three-quarters (72%) of participants have embraced the use of consumerization of IT by allowing employees to use their own device to perform work tasks either away from work or at work (48%), expanding the list of devices provided to employees to include more consumer devices (42%) and provides an allowance for employees to buy personal devices to use at work (11%).
• Mobile devices -- including smartphones (79%) and tablets (68%) -- rank highest in the types of personal devices organizations will support and BlackBerry Phones (68%), iPhones (61%) and iPads (54%) are the top consumer devices supported by IT departments.
• Security is the number one challenge for the majority of organizations (82%) and it poses the biggest negative impact for organizations. Security is also the biggest growth potential for vendors (85%).

"Technology vendors, especially in the mobile space, have great opportunity to capitalize on this growing trend where employees are selecting the device they would like to use to perform work functions," said Bob Melk, SVP, group publisher & CMO, IDG Enterprise. "Understanding organizational concerns and working with IT departments to develop policies and procedures and create business value around consumerization of IT will provide vendors with a competitive advantage and provide IT decision-makers with additional opportunities to meet end-user demands while securing organizational assets. To help facilitate this conversation IDG Enterprise has launched the CITE (Consumerization in the Enterprise) Conference and Expo, providing a comprehensive look at the emerging issues, demands and opportunities surrounding the infusion of consumer technologies into today's workplace."

To receive the complete study results contact Bob Melk at bmelk@idgenterprise.com.

To learn more about Consumerization of IT and engage with IT decision-makers, thought leaders and solution providers, attend the 2012 IDG Enterprise CITE (Consumerization In The Enterprise) Conference & Expo, March 4-6, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco, California.

About IDG Enterprise
IDG Enterprise, an International Data Group (IDG) company, brings together the leading editorial brands (CFOwold, CIO, Computerworld, CSO, DEMO, InfoWorld, ITworld and Network World) to serve the information needs of our technology and security-focused audiences. As the premier hi-tech B2B media company, we serve our reader and advertiser audiences by delivering award-winning content, community, conversation, and conversion solutions across our entire portfolio of award-winning websites, events, magazines, products and services. In addition, the CIO Executive Council is a peer advisory service that delivers on the business, technology, and leadership needs for the world's elite CIOs and their respective staffs.

Company information is available at www.idgenterprise.com.