Follow the moneyIT security accounts for largest share of homeland security spending

Published 6 July 2010

Aviation security may be more visible than IT security, but a new research says that the former accounts for only 4.6 of the homeland security market, while the latter accounts for 23 percent; public and private homeland security spending will grow from $69 billion 2010 to $85 billion by 2014

DHS spent $13.1 billion in fiscal 2009, with state and local spending adding another $15.8 billion. The Washington, D.C.-based Homeland Security Research Corp. used these figures from its latest report to argue that state and local spending, which includes first responders, that DHS is not the dominant player.

Washington Technology’s Nick Wakeman writes that the research firm also tried to debunk what it said were misconceptions about homeland security spending. For example, aviation security has higher visibility and stature but represents only 4.6 percent of the market, while information technology represents 23 percent.

Other points the research makes:

  • Private-sector spending on homeland security is expected to drop from $11.5 billion in 2009 to $8.5 billion in 2010 before bouncing back to $11.1 billion by 2014.
  • The U.S. homeland security market, which includes federal, state, and local governments; intelligence agencies; and the private sector, will grow from $69 billion 2010 to $85 billion by 2014.
  • The growth rate stands about 5.1 percent.