Disqus
The BBC is reporting that Security firm Credant has done some research, and found out that many users store data on mobile that easily be used for ID theft if those devices were stolen!
For example, apparently only 60% of users have a password running on their devices. If we consider the fact that devices are now more capable, and more connected, it’s a mildly scary thought – and probably a fear of most IT depts in numbers of companies!
But what about this sensitive data on mobiles? What does it consist of? Well, The BBC, who picked up this research, noted that amongst other things, bank details accounted for 16% of the sensitive data on the personal front. At a very similar percentage, but in the work sphere, apparently work documents were turning up on Mobile devices!
Right now (in the UK anyway), news coverage revolves around the theft/loss of (a) Laptops, and (b) USB memory sticks – there have been many high priority cases in the last 12 months – but how long before the data becomes more commonly lost or stolen from mobile devices – with their plethora of connectivity mediums, they are the perfect digital luggage accessory for the thief for example!
Let us know your feelings on mobile security and data loss – mine are that if it’s corporate use adequate measures should be employed by an IT dept, and if it’s personal, then you HAVE TO use your common sense – whether that’s obfuscating the data you keep, or not keeping the data on there, is of course up to you!
You can read the full BBC article here.
[Via: The BBC]
About The Author
Ben Robinson
Ben is a 10+ year veteran of the Mobile industry – starting his career when SMS was a still a relatively new concept for most people (!), he has now consulted on everything from bleeding-edge Mobile content, to the next-gen accessories you might view it on. As a result he has a broad and deep knowledge in numerous areas of Mobile – from network operators to device vendors, to infrastructure and middleware vendors (not to mention content delivery) – and has worked for companies in all of these areas! He is based in the UK, a hotbed of activity for mobile, and recently became a father for the second time – as oppose to in his younger years when he was happy spend time tweaking all manner of mobile devices to 'nth' degree, he now looks for services and hardware that provide the most efficient, compact, and reliable improvements to his already manic life! It’s his opinion that Mobile solutions should be there to help to make your life better – if a particular solution (be it service or device) isn’t doing this, he believes you need to ask the very important question of why you continue to use it... His focus at IntoMobile is mainly on Mobile content, services, and infrastructure, particularly as regards the UK market – and with the occasional look at devices. Additionally, using his extensive experience in the industry, he will provide commentary on the industry at large, with regular (and hopefully thought-provoking) articles.
