Smartphone risk to organisations highlighted

With the wide-scale adoption of smartphones within organisations, a survey has found that 94 percent of IT security professionals believe that these devices pose more of a security risk to companies than mobile storage devices (88 percent) and laptops (79 percent). The survey by Credant Technologies was carried out amongst 300 senior IT professionals.

Surprisingly over half of the security conscious respondents (56 percent) confessed to ‘not bothering’ to use a password every time they used their own mobile/smartphone – the most basic security precaution and often the first line of defence.

Billions is being spent on information security, yet companies are leaving their back doors and windows wide open by allowing uncontrolled devices access, risking sabotage, hacking and exploitation. The majority of these devices are personally owned yet are still being granted access to the corporate network without additional security (in 91 percent of respondents’ companies) or restrictions (81 percent) applied.

Many organisations are obliged to have security policies as part of their regulatory compliance, yet 71 percent of respondents organisations do not cover the use of mobile/smartphones within security policies, and 68 percent ignore USBs/MP3s and other storage devices.

“I’m really shocked by the results of this survey, especially given the current security climate and the level of knowledge of the sample, that this practice goes on in organisations today!” remarked Peter Mitteregger, European vice president for Credant Technologies. “Companies need to regain control of these devices, and the data that they are carrying, or risk finding their investment in securing the enterprise misplaced and woefully inadequate. Cost effective solutions exist to mitigate the risks posed by these endpoints after all, there’s no point employing leading technology to secure the front door if the back door’s left wide open!”

•Date: 4th June 2008• Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: ISM
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