This paper provides guidance on how companies should rethink their existing management and security strategy to effectively secure mobile solutions in the workforce, over a wide array of devices, connections and applications. It details why mobile security must be included as a mission critical component of any enterprise strategy and implemented on a pro-active basis before any major security breach has the opportunity to negatively affect the enterprise.
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Compliance in the Mobile Enterprise
A J.Gold Associates White Paper
6 Valentine Rd, Northborough, MA 01532 508-393-5294 www.jgoldassociates.com April 2006
Compliance in the Mobile Enterprise
Compliance in the Mobile Enterprise Introduction Most enterprises rank mobility and mobile worker solution deployments within their top 5 initiatives for the next 3 years. This fact is consistently indicated in surveys of business executives from a wide variety of industries. Indeed, we expect mobile deployments to expand dramatically over the next 3-5 years as solutions become easier to deploy, connections become faster and more reliable, and devices become more capable and less costly. However, few companies have recognized that the very mobile devices they deploy to enhance worker productivity and improve operations can cause the company to face an increased risk of security and compliance breaches. And few companies currently know how to effectively mitigate such risk. Further personal, non-company issued devices that users acquire independently and bring into the workplace should cause companies great concern. Indeed, management and control of these devices is imperative if companies are to protect their data and prevent running afoul of existing and proposed regulations. Many governments (on the state, regional and/or federal level) have passed, or are passing, new regulations that will severely penalize companies who are not able to comply with data protection and security regulations. The massive growth of mobility over the next 3-5 years will likely leave company IT organizations unable to cope with the new mobile reality unless they rethink their existing management and security strategy. One of the greatest challenges to both business and IT groups within companies over this period will be effectively securing mobile solutions in the workforce, over a wide array of devices, connections and applications. This paper will highlight some of the areas in which mobility will expan... [download for more]