Information security positions will increase dramatically in the coming years, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan and (ISC)2. The number of industry professionals worldwide is expected to climb to 2.7 million in 2012, up from 1.66 million in 2007, a 10 percent compound annual growth rate.

The steepest average annual increase, 13 percent, will occur in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This is followed by growth of 10 percent in the Americas and 8 percent in the Asia-Pacific region. The report says that the main drivers will be the need for regulatory compliance and organizations’ interest in preventing reputation damage.