MOBILE DEVICES ADD CONFUSION IN GLOBAL FIRMS

By K.C.Bishoppe

Mobile devices, now in abundance and geared towards making communications and data handling easier and more efficient for global firms, are creating a multitude of specific problems.

Firms tend to use different types of devices worldwide which makes it impossible to test all devices with all operating systems. This leaves room for incompatibility that affects the use of the devices and the outcome of the projects with which they are being used.

Additionally, the lackluster attitude or lack of understanding on the part of management, and the turnover in staff, including executives, creates problems in getting a comprehensive policy for all mobile devices written, agreed upon and rolled ou to all employees worldwide.

This frequently results in non-approved devices being used to communicate with company systems or with approved devices being used in a non-approved manner.

Another weakness is the failure of employees to install strong passwords on phones and PDAs in order to protect the data and intellectual property stored on the device.

An unprotected device, falling into the wrong hands, becomes a wealth of illegally obtained information for competitors and/or thieves.

The worst part of this scenario is that while a compelling argument may be made to management, security and business continuity are still areas expending funds and failing to produce revenues.

As a result, and since frequently by the time consensus is reached on the mobile device policy the top executive such as the CIO has changed, it's difficult to get management and employees to address the issue of a standardized policy for mobile device use with the care and consideration that it deserves.

Regardless of this pattern, it's important to continue to pursue the passage and adoption of an adequate policy in order to protect the company, its data and its employees.