The low use of security products on new mobile platforms, combined with decreasing PC sales, will create ongoing challenges for providers in the consumer security market. Gartner estimates that the average IT-savvy consumer, with higher understanding of heavier use of IT equipment, has five or more devices at home that connect to the Internet. However, consumers are far more likely to have an antivirus program installed on their laptops and desktops while tablets, mobile phones and gaming systems that connect to the Internet are often left unprotected.

This lack of penetration of security tools among users of new mobile platforms will have significant repercussions on the consumer security market. Gartner expects the sale of new PCs and laptops to decline in favor of new mobile platforms, which will shrink the current addressable market. However, as mobile devices gain in mass popularity and as security is likely to become a higher priority in the future, new market opportunities are likely to emerge. Currently, integration of capabilities that stretch across traditional and new mobile device platforms can help providers maintain some momentum and competitiveness.

"The current awareness of security and its impact on users of mobile devices is likely to change," said Contu. "Gartner expects attacks to focus increasingly on mobile platforms as they become more popular. This is likely to make consumers show more interest in security products that address mobile devices and acquire mobile security as part of a broader consumer endpoint security platform."

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