Mobile Devices and Security
In a previous Director's Chair, Carol wrote about the evolution of computing from desktop to portable to now mobile. The surge of computing appliances started some time ago, but the capabilities of these appliances has increased to the point they need to be managed in the IT environment.
There are difficult choices and decisions to make involving personal gadgets and if and how they are used for business. Many people have smart phones, iPads or some other device. I am certain there are thoughts that one can be more productive if the devices can be used for work; however, placing company data on consumer devices can open some big security holes.
I was reading a study about "Do Users Really Care about Data Security?" The study found workers are generally imprudent and ambivalent about security. The study of 1,600 businesses both large and small, determined that risky online practices and attitudes were customary.
The combination of the personal devices coupled with employee practices and attitudes, places the job of consistently reinforcing the message on the backs of IT professionals. The message is that data security protects organization viability, and users need to be made conscious of best practices to safeguard data with whatever they use to connect to it. How will we educate the mobile device users?
~Craig Mey
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