AT&T (News - Alert) Inc. has announced plans to launch a consumer wireless security service next year to help combat the rise in cyber attacks on mobile devices, according to a top executive.

John Stankey, head of AT&T’s enterprise business, said he has seen a big spike in security attacks on cellphones, particularly as more people use smartphones like the Apple iPhone and Google’s Android (News - Alert)-based devices to download web applications.

“Hackers always go to where there’s a base of people to attack,” said Stankey in an interview prior to the Reuters (News - Alert) Technology Media and Telecommunications Summit. “I do believe it’ll become as relevant in the mobile space as it is today in the desktop,” he said, referring to subscription anti-virus software services currently available for PCs. “You’ll see that occur in the wireless world.”

While AT&T already sells security services to businesses to help them protect employees’ cellphones, it has yet to offer consumer services like anti-virus software. Stankey said they have been a tough sell up to now since consumers feel there is little risk. But the changing mobile market has helped fuel demand. Consumer security services will probably be launched in 2012, said Stankey.

“When you start asking them what’s your willingness to pay for a solution, if they’re not a little frightened, their willingness to pay is nothing,” Stankey said. “It’ll take a little time for this in the mass market.” He added that the reluctance to pay will most likely change in the coming year as consumers become more aware of security threats.

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