Security fears delay mobile take-up

Businesses are holding back on deploying mobile devices such as PDAs and smartphones because of concerns over their impact on network security.

Research by the Economist Intelligence Unit and Symantec has revealed that 60% of firms are delaying the introduction of wireless and remote devices, despite the potential business benefits.

“People are being cautious, but it is not sustainable in the longer term,” said Ollie Whitehouse, wireless research scientist at Symantec.

The survey of nearly 250 senior executives found that firms are concerned that the loss or theft of a mobile device would cause greater financial loss than an external hacking attack.

Business leaders said they were worried that wireless networks are more vulnerable than fixed networks to viruses, hacking, and disclosure of sensitive information. Just under 50% had experienced losses because of viruses introduced through wireless networks and 80% said their firm had suffered damage due to  the loss or theft of mobile devices.

Despite their worries over mobile security, nearly 90% of companies deal with mobile devices on an ad hoc basis or try to integrate devices into their existing network security, rather than taking an overall approach.

Only 26% had assessed the security risk of smartphones and only 9% had upgraded their security architecture to include mobile device access, the survey reveals.

“We are currently reliant on using security build within the devices themselves, which in many instances is not sufficient in protecting our mobile workforce,” said Benoit Laclau, chief information officer at EDF Energy.

Article from computerweekly.com