'Demand for IT security in emerging markets such as China is high, and even other small countries, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, are considered fast-emerging economies. Asia Pacific is viewed as a large long-term sustainable market, especially amid the global economic recession.'

Cheung attributes China's high growth to local security players, such as Rising and Kingsoft, the heavy spending on Olympic Games in 2008 and the rapid increase in foreign investments.

Symantec continued to be the market leader, accounting for 22 percent of security software revenue in Asia Pacific in 2008. However, the company's market share dipped from 22.8 percent in 2007 to 22 percent in 2008.

Gartner's estimates for 2009 predict that security will produce good growth levels, although the full impact of the global economic recession will result in a decrease in spending and the fall of growth rates to around half the levels achieved in 2008.

Also, emerging markets in Asia Pacific are expected to provide the highest growth opportunities over the coming years, although the more mature markets are expected to provide sustainable levels of investment.