Mobile security is being offered for everyone now that it’s generally accepted that our smartphones contain our lives. What once started as a business-grade solution to protect sensitive data from compromise in a workplace that is increasingly relying on the personal mobile devices of employees to run efficiently has now become suggested practice for everyone from the business exec to the festival goer. And why not? iPhone (News - Alert) theft is driving the crime rate up dramatically as “Apple Picking” is becoming the criminal’s choice revenue stream.
Businesses should know all of this and yet, according to a recent survey from Insight UK involving 200 business leaders across a variety of sectors including education, pharmaceutical and finance, despite a widespread fear of data compromise, adoption of cloud-based security platforms and preventative bring your own device (BYOD) policies simply aren’t being instated.
In fact, 55 percent of the businesses surveyed that cite mobile security as the top threat don’t even plan to launch a company-wide BYOD code of practice that would ensure employees take special precautions to prevent information from being compromised.
So what seems to be the big deal? There are a few major factors that contribute to the slow uptake of BYOD policies. Firstly, the data suggests a two-tier priority system that favors Windows and iOS devices over Android (News - Alert) and BlackBerry. IT departments plan on securing them all, but there is a clear preference shown toward the first two. Showing this kind of preference in the diverse world of BYOD business is asking for trouble. The fact of the matter is that all devices that can be used for business eventually will be, and when that time comes they best be protected.
That having been said, as much as it is important to include all devices under the umbrella of mobile security, it’s also best practice to include all members of the company. Maybe when the technology was new it would have been acceptable to only consider high ranking executives when it comes to security, but it’s arguable that mobile technology is most important on the front lines now that customer relationship management platforms are changing the face of sales and customer service. Yet 22 percent surveyed are only concerned with security at executive levels.
The survey is encouraging inasmuch as the visibility of this security issue means that the adoption of mobile modes of working is catching on. However, in order to maximize their efficiency BYOD is simply the only way to achieve the best results.This means companies are at least halfway to meeting the full potential of bring your own device policies. As long as these hurdles can be overcome however, there’s a bright future in secure, mobile-enabled businesses.
Edited by Rachel Ramsey