pdas

Consumer tech in the enterprise? Caveat emptor...

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:59:58 -0400

In new CIO survey from the Yankee Group, 86 percent of the respondents said that they had used at least one consumer technology in the workplace, to either stimulate innovation or realize gains in productivity. While you have got to admire their creative flair, security professionals in the enterprise are pulling their hair out because of the risks associated with these vulnerable devices and applications. But is it right for a CIO or CSO to ban the technology? ComputerWorld lists 8 collaboration and consumer tools that are making their way into businesses.

Topping the list is instant messaging; Yankee says that 40 percent of respondents use consumer IM technology at work. One way to deal with the security threat is to implement an internal IM server. Up next is webmail and portable storage devices. Some 50 percent of those surveyed by Yankee said they use webmail. Again, security is the big trade off here for convenience. PDAs, smartphones and camera phones are also causing a lot of headaches for CIOs, primarily because employees are coming to work and trying to sync up these devices with their computers. This can create big problems, ranging from application glitches to blue screens. Rounding out the list is Skype, downloadable widgets and virtual worlds. There's no doubt that it's a new world out there… buyer beware.

To read more about the security risks:
- see the article in Computerworld

Removable media causes security concerns

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:01:38 -0400

The proliferation of portable media devices are increasing companies' security risks exponentially. In fact, endpoint security for laptops, PDAs and removable media is one of the most critical security issues facing companies today. USB drives, in particular, have a tremendous amount of private corporate content. To deal with the growing problems, CIOs must set up strict policies for how data on removable media is handled and where they can be taken and where they can't. Employees should also be monitored to some extent, ensuring that employees use removable media only for company-sponsored endeavors. It's also critical to make sure that the USB drives used by your company have appropriate encryption--not something that's standard on all USB drives. The same type of diligence should be applied to other mobile devices such as laptops.

Learn more about how to secure removable media:
- read the article at Dark Reading

ALSO:
- read this on the importance of mobile security
- and this on mobile security tools for SMBs
- and this on best practices in managing mobile devices

Data left behind poses a big risk

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 19:01:36 -0500

While it may seem that laptop data theft is primarily due to thieves and disgruntled ex-employees, it looks like plain old user forgetfulness is the major reason mobile devices go missing. A new report from Pointsec Mobile Technologies states that over 10,000 devices such as PDAs, cell phones and laptops were left behind in taxi cabs, in the Washington, DC area alone, during a six month period. While the majority of these devices found their way back to owners, it's still clear that tons of confidential data--from contact information and messaging content to files on corporate initiatives--could potentially end up in the wrong hands.

For more on the real threat to mobile data:
- read the news at CSO online

Related Article: Picking the right mobile device for road warriors. Article

Choosing the right device for mobile workers

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:01:37 -0500

If your users are clamoring for a handheld device, the first step should be determining exactly what they'll be using it for--personal digital assistants (PDAs) are geared toward one set of uses while smart phones offer different functionalities. For example, mobile users who need to write, store and share data might find the BlackBerry the best device, while others who rely more on messaging communications to keep in touch and plan their workday may get more use out of one of many smartphones on the market.

For more on mobile device decisions:
- read the article at CIO Today

Related Article: The insecurities of mobile computing. Article

ALSO NOTED: Black Hat attendees hack a MacBook using wireless drivers; Network access control efficacy under scrutiny; and much

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 20:01:33 -0400

> Black Hat attendees hack a MacBook using wireless drivers. Article

> Network access control efficacy under scrutiny. Article

> Wireless connectivity hits the rail out west. Article

> IBM's product strategy to push Unix ahead. Article

> Attacks on SMB networks is growing. Article

And Finally... Why smartphones are beating out PDAs, laptops. Article

SPOTLIGHT: IT asset management a weak spot

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 19:01:33 -0500

If you're not quite sure how many desktops, PDAs, systems or applications you've got up and running, don't feel too bad--you've got lots of company. According to a global study, more than 60 percent of today's IT leaders don't have a firm grip on IT assets, a statistic which has some analysts a bit worried. One reason for the weak asset management is that a majority of organizations are still doing the task manually. Article