Smartphones and Security Issues

A recent survey by Juniper Networks found that about 65% of smartphone and tablet device users are extremely concerned about information security issues arising out of using these devices. Despite this, 81% of those surveyed admit to accessing their employer’s network on their smartphone or tablet without their employer’s knowledge. About 60% do so every day. And almost 20% admit to accessing their employer’s sensitive proprietary information on such devices.

This survey is probably causing heartburn in corporate IT departments around the globe.

Can an employer do anything about this? Sure. First, consider measures to limit how an internal network can be externally accessed. Second, make sure you have a policy prohibiting or strictly limiting employee access to internal networks on personal devices. Finally, enforce the policy. I can’t emphasize this last point enough – the best policy in the world is worthless if it’s not enforced or is inconsistently enforced.