2011-06-01
Abstract
Report reveals lax security when it comes to hte use of mobile devices in the workplace.
Copyright © 2011 Virus Bulletin
A report compiled by McAfee and Carnegie Mellon University has revealed lax security when it comes to the use of mobile devices in the workplace.
A survey of more than 1,500 users of mobile devices and senior IT decision-makers found that, while 95% of organizations have a mobile security policy in place, only one in three employees are aware of such policies. The survey found that almost half of users store sensitive information on their mobile devices – whether personal or business-related – and that 40% of organizations have had mobile devices lost or stolen. Almost 60% of the lost or stolen devices were said to contain business-critical data.
Meanwhile, four in 10 organizations allow employees to access the Internet and download mobile apps freely using their mobile devices – a risky strategy given the potential for third-party apps to harbour malicious code.
Some of the risks associated with the use of mobile devices will be highlighted at VB2011 in Barcelona in presentations looking at Android malware (specifically the dangers associated with the Android Market and third-party apps) as well as cell phone money laundering. See http://www.virusbtn.com/conference/vb2011/ for details.
