You Need Handheld Security
The more laptops and mobile devices are used, the greater the chance that enterprise security is at risk. How many times have you heard about a government agency that has lost confidential data when one of its handhelds was lost? You’d be surprised at how many of these losses are not reported — the problem is greater than you might expect.
This is why businesses must invest in mobile device management software. The ideal product combines support for multiple device platforms, protecting not just notebook computers but also handheld devices like Palm, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, iPhone, or Symbian. The more devices supported, the better.
Look for handheld and laptop security solutions that support a wide variety of features:
- Encryption of data to keep confidential data safe
- Locking of the device via password
- Centralized control and management of all devices
- Remote wiping of a device when lost or stolen
- Firewall and antivirus support to protect the user from malware and other problems
- Mandatory corporate security policies
Not everyone who uses a laptop or a mobile device understands the need for security, so it’s important to educate employees about why security is important and what they can do to help the business keep its data safe. Laptop computers are stolen every day from cars, hotel rooms, coffee shops and airports. Even though most thieves have no interest in company data, it puts everything you do at risk and can cause you grief with government agencies in certain industries. Dealing with these security problems proactively is much less expensive.
You should also worry about personal mobile devices. Many workers use these handhelds throughout the work day and important and private corporate information may end up on these devices without your knowledge or permission. Being flexible on dealing with these devices and letting employees secure them with your support is better and safer in the long run, which is where the right mobile enterprise software makes it all possible.