SECURITY

Bringing Better Security to Mobile Devices

Rebecca Kutzer-Rice | Date: 11-23-11 | Comments

Many companies are putting their BYOD policies on hold until mobile security is improved and data protected. A new mobile-management service from IBM promises to bring a wide range of protection to company-owned and employee-owned smartphones and tablets.

With the rising trend of bring-your-own-device policies, many companies are struggling to ensure adequate security on mobile computers and phones. A new service from IBM will bring corporate data to more mobile devices while ensuring the security of sensitive information and the compliance of employees with company procedures.

The Hosted Mobile Device Security Management service is an extension of IBM�s previous mobile offerings. It brings security applications and managed services to smartphones, tablet computers and other devices. The service protects from data loss due to common mobile vulnerabilities, including theft, unauthorized access and spyware. It also prevents the use of inappropriate applications on company devices.

The hosted, managed service can be used on both company-owned and employee-owned devices, thereby allowing IT departments to guarantee security on a wide range of mobile devices while avoiding large investments of in-house technology and time.

"The BYOD trend creates real opportunity for employees to become more productive, but it also carries risk unless it is managed properly," said Marisa Viveros, vice president of IBM Security Services, said in a statement. "The new service from IBM helps organizations protect their enterprise data while allowing employees to have the flexibility needed for today's work environment."

The service configures security settings on mobile devices and monitors for compliance with company security policies. It protects data if a device has been stolen and can even help locate missing machines. Not only can the service detect unapproved applications, but it can also remove them remotely. It also brings more secure connections to mobile devices and tracks user activity.

�Unlike other services focused on device management or unmanaged technology,� the company explains in a statement, �IBM is focused on the protection of the device, regardless of the business applications used by employees today or in the future.�

The device-management technology works on most major devices, including Apple iOS, Google Android, BlackBerry, Symbian and Microsoft Mobile.

Many of our readers have previously been cautious of BYOD and similar policies. With mobile-security service like this one, would you be more willing to utilize a variety of devices for company purposes? Feel free to discuss in the comments� section below!