According to a recent study, 75 percent of IT security professionals said that mobile devices will pose the biggest threat to company security in 2014, up from just 9 percent who said the same in 2010. Additionally, 68 percent of respondents said their mobile devices had been targeted by malware in the last 12 months.
Over the years, cellular phones have taken a drastic improvement over the decade. More than it has become necessary in ordinary life, many people hold both home phone and business phone. Through the use of smart phone, communication between customers and business partners has become smoother. (Johnson, 2013) Smartphone today is packed with features with use for calling, texting, video, camera, emailing, networking, file accessing and sharing, and much more. (Johnson, 2013) Through the use of a smartphone are a perfect tool for smoother communication and a portable and efficient tool to access various company resources. Companies would able to serve customer faster and make remote support available for cheaper employment and highly available service.
Since the use of smartphones are always increasing every year and it is important to know there are disadvantages incorporating a smartphone in a company. Since there is enormous market for smartphones around the world, a security vulnerability has become a concern. Recently there has been a lot of cyber crimes and personal computers, but smart phones also become a target. More the technology moves forward, the malware also evolves to meet its needs. “The research found that 41 percent of IT professionals said they experience more than 50 malware attacks per month, up 15 percent from three years ago. Also, nearly 70 percent said malware attacks are contributing significantly to rising operating costs.” (Brooks, 2013) More that the smartphone can do, the better for the malware. By having a cell phone, may create large security hole from a single-point of failure. As C. Edward Brice, senior vice president of worldwide marketing for Lumension, mentions that users must be more aware and be educated about this newly emerging threat and more proactive measure must be taken to review the security technology.
To have employees use smartphone in a secure environment, there must be few security measures that have to be considered. Most of the malware that infects a smartphone comes from installing malicious applications. “A fake BBM app recently appeared in the Google Play store and managed to secure more than 100,000 downloads before being removed” (Grazino, 2014). There are many malicious applications in the app store, and there must be regulations to access the app store for users to prevent these issues. The only necessary application should be installed on a company cell phone. Applications such as antivirus apps can scan the iPhone for any malicious files or vulnerability in the mobile phone may increase your company’s security level. Also, another good security measure that can be taken is conducting timely updates on the operating system. Most updates include security patches and bug fixes.
References
Brooks, C. (2013). Mobile devices will be biggest business security threat in 2014. Retrieved from
http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5670-mobile-devices-will-be-biggest-business-security-threat-in-2014.html
Johnson, L. (2013). Advantages of Using Smartphones in Your Business. Retrieved from
http://www.business2community.com/tech-gadgets/advantages-of-using-smartpones-in-your-business-0375741#wDMPb0sX3ELXIHkC.99
Graziano, D. (2014) Protect your Android device from malware. Retrieved from
http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5670-mobile-devices-will-be-biggest-business-security-threat-in-2014.html#sthash.Vx5z0Bzz.dpuf
