The new year is quickly approaching, and with it comes a new, larger market for virtual security appliances. This growth is attributable to more organizations utilizing cloud services and desktop or server virtualization technologies as a way of improving business efficiency, according to a new study by Infonetics Research.

According to the research firm's December 2011 Virtual Security Appliances report, the global market for virtual security is expected to reach $670 million in revenue, expanding by more than 50 percent compared to 2010. Furthermore, as companies continue to adopt virtual and cloud services, this market will continue to grow, eventually quadrupling its size to approach $1.75 billion in 2015, the study noted.

"The adoption of server virtualization within wiring closets and data centers at organizations of all sizes and the rollout of infrastructure to deliver IT services in the cloud is driving significant change in the technical requirements for security solutions, presenting unique challenges," said Infonetics principal security analyst Jeff Wilson.

According to a recent Microsoft study, more than one-third of U.S. small- and medium-sized businesses will be utilizing cloud computing technologies in 2012. As a result of this trend, the security market for these technologies will likely expand simultaneously.