Synopsis:

While austerity measures in the face of economic uncertainty are curtailing IT spending among small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) in the UK and USA, we still see that many are keen to invest in technology to help develop their businesses. Mobile working solutions and social networking are key emerging technology trends for companies of this size – however, it is evident that not all are aware of the IT security risks presented by adopting such practices.

In 2011, the Average I.T. Security Breach Cost Small-to-Medium Businesses 3-4 Days to Rectify. In partnership with a key client, GfK is conducting ongoing research to understand how the Small-to-Medium Business (SMB) markets in the UK and USA are behaving in terms of their usage and needs of technology and Security Software.
Five key highlights have emerged from this research, carried out in 2011.

With sales of printed newspapers in decline and widespread expectation of free news online, publishers need a radical change of strategy in the way they deliver content, to win back the public’s wallets. News site paywalls are currently testing the most straightforward route, offering users unique and diverse content in exchange for a subscription fee, in a bid to effectively monetise a loyal digital audience. The question is, will tablets – bringing with them a richer, and more engaging user experience – be the bridge that turns the trickle of paying digital news readers into a flood?