Infosecurity Europe says mobile workforce shift will cause security headache for many companies
London, UK – A report just recently published that highlights the rising numbers of workers are moving to a truly mobile working environment confirms what many in the IT security industry have suspected for some time, says Claire Sellick, Event Director for Infosecurity Europe.
The iPass report, which took in responses from 1,000 enterprises, found that large swathes of enterprise staffers are using their smartphones to access their email - and a whole lot more.
"What is particularly concerning is the fact that 54 per cent of Blackberry users said they would move to an Apple iPhone if they were offered one, and 63% of employees prefer their smartphone over a laptop," she said.
"The problem here is that, whilst it's relatively easy to defend a laptop against the vagaries of a mobile Internet connection, securing a smartphone is a whole new ballgame for many IT managers," she added.
And, Sellick went on to say, as iPass said in its report, there are clear resultant risks in terms of compliance and security that arise from the migration to smartphones.
Many of the exhibitors at the upcoming Infosecurity Europe event, which takes place at London's Earl's Court exhibition centre on 27th - 29th April, are showing security solutions to what many people are calling the shift to agile working.
In addition, she explained, the show's education programme - which sees a raft of industry professionals giving their advice to visitors free of charge - will help IT managers make the transition to agile working in a safe and secure manner.
What is clear from anecdotal evidence - as well as studies of the enterprise workforce such as this latest one - is that the shift to mobile working is becoming something of a revolution, rather than the progressive evolution that many have previously observed.
"It's clear that enterprises now face the issue of workers using their smartphones, as well as their laptops, whilst on the move. One of our exhibitors has report on the subject (http://www.infosec.co.uk/ExhibitorLibrary/662/Mobile_security_26.pdf) and theme will be explored in several of our keynotes and seminars at the show," she said.
"In many ways, it is security issues such as this that makes the education programme at the show so attractive to attendees, who would normally have to pay for the free advice from a variety of industry professionals if they were at a conference," she added.
For more on the mobile workforce report: http://bit.ly/9hEHvw
To register to attend or for more information please visit www.infosec.co.uk
About Infosecurity Europe
Infosecurity Europe, celebrating 15 years at the heart of the industry in 2010, is Europe’s number one Information Security event. Featuring over 300 exhibitors, the most diverse range of new products and services, an unrivalled education programme and visitors from every segment of the industry, it is the most important date in the calendar for Information Security professionals across Europe. Organised by Reed Exhibitions, the world’s largest tradeshow organiser, Infosecurity Europe is one of five Infosecurity events around the world with events also running in Belgium, Netherlands and Russia. Infosecurity Europe runs from the 27th – 29th April 2010, in Earls Court, London. For further information please visit www.infosec.co.uk
Source: Eskenzi PR