Declaring war on mobile hackers
Source: Network News UK
There is no doubt that a carefully implemented roll-out of mobile access will free key employees from the chains of their desks, and allow them to do their jobs in a more flexible and effective manner using mobile and wireless devices such as laptops, PDAs and smartphones.
However, opening up networks to employees needing remote access to mission critical systems also opens up a Pandora's Box for IT mangers who need to ensure that the same remote access cannot be used by malicious hackers to wreak havoc.
"Data that is transported outside of the organisation is facing a continuous threat. Mobile devices can be lost or stolen which means that the information they contain can be lost to a company," warned Neil Barrett, technical director at Information Risk Management.
"If they are stolen the data needs to be protected so there is a requirement for confidentiality. This in turn points to a requirement for encryption and a for access password controls of a suitable strength for the information that is being carried.
"For mobile workers, it has to be said that there are no real new security challenges, but the existing security challenges are writ large because they fall outside the control of the main organisation."
According to Barrett, one of the main issues facing IT mangers attempting to secure mobile network access comes from individuals within companies who are increasingly accessing systems using their own mobile and wireless devices without any centralised control.
"Companies are taking mobile security seriously, but the main problem is that wireless networks are not enacted primarily by the companies themselves," explained Barrett.
