Continuing its drive East to build a strengthened global presence, F-Secure announced the expansion of its Asian business with the establishment of an office in Singapore this autumn. This move, which extends F-Secure's presence in Asia from its established country office in Japan is significant for the future of the company.
For F-Secure, Japan is very much a self-contained market - large, technologically advanced and bordered by a strong language and culture. Beyond its borders, however, is the new powerhouse of industry and technology, China with its huge markets not to mention the prominent position occupied by such Asian tigers as Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam. The potential for growth in Asian markets is huge and, as an advanced, albeit small player in the data security and intrusion prevention business, the opportunities are there.
As if to prove the point, at the same time as F-Secure announced its entry to the broader Asian market in September, it also announced a deal with a major Internet Service Provider, the Hong Kong-based PCCW.
The deal with PCCW, which is the largest ISP in Hong Kong's highly competitive market involves the provision of a Chinese version of Security as a Service, a new security solution for Internet Service Providers, with enhanced protection through a sophisticated quick-response antivirus and antispyware capability. Outsourcing security services to ISP's whether as a co-branded effort or directly has proved very effective for F-Secure in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Corporate business nevertheless continues to be the main driver for F-Secure's business but consumer products are also showing significant growth.
While F-Secure has enjoyed a steady presence in Asia for last 10 years with its regional office in Tokyo, Japan, this represents a new direction for the company. F-Secure already has partners in about ten countries in Asia, focusing mainly on corporate business. The Singapore office will now act as a hub to reach out to all significant Asian business centres exploring market possibilities and building F-Secure's presence in the APAC region.
Speaking about the company's entry to a larger Asian market, Jari Heinonen, Regional Director for F-Secure in Asia said: "The maturity of our products, the clear necessity for data security for corporates and consumers allied to the sheer business potential of the region all pointed to the establishment of a stronger presence for F-Secure here in Asia. The deal with PCCW only proves the point and bodes well for the ISP market in general.
Author: Mark Woods Corporate Communicator
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