BlackBerry and Other Mobile Smartphones Pose a Security Challenge to Enterprise Network Managers, New Report Finds
23 April 2006
Smartphones and other high-end wireless devices now enabling the enterprise mobility revolution may pose significant security risks for enterprise telecom and IT departments that don't take adequate measures to protect network resources, according to the latest report published by Unstrung Enterprise Insider (http://www.unstrung.com/enterprise), a new subscription research service from Light Reading Inc. (http://www.lightreading.com).
Mobile Malware: The Enterprise at Risk evaluates the potential impact on enterprise telecom and IT resources of mobile malware -- viruses that target the operating systems driving today's leading mobile phones and computing devices, including Research in Motion's BlackBerry. The report identifies the potential entry points of malware programs and assesses the threat level that each potential trouble spot poses to the enterprise.
The report surveys anti-malware products and solutions available from wireless service providers, handset makers, and third-party security software companies. It also includes a set of "Insider Tips" -- guidelines and procedures that enterprise telecom and IT departments should consider to minimize exposure to malware risk.
The rapid uptake of advanced wireless devices by the enterprise workforce is making malware a more serious threat to telecom and IT resources, notes Tim Kridel, research analyst for Unstrung Enterprise Insider and author of the report. "Today's mobile OSs, such as Symbian and Microsoft Windows Mobile, are used by dozens of vendors across dozens of models, making it possible to write a single piece of malware that targets a pool of potential victims numbering in the hundreds of thousands, or even millions," he explains.
"Malware writers are very good at identifying and exploiting all of the ways that data moves in and out of wireless devices," Kridel says. "Viruses are routinely hidden in games that users download over the wireless network. Others are transferred via Bluetooth or downloaded when the user clicks on a link in a message. A few can enter a phone one way and exit another. Therefore it is necessary to implement anti-malware tools and policies to address all possible scenarios and points of vulnerability."
Among the report's key findings:
* While most mobile viruses cause minimal damage to handsets and their
stored data, the costs of lost user productivity and increased IT
support can be significant.
* Some malware can infect a handset and jump to a PC during syncing,
extending the security risk to all enterprise IT resources.
* Enterprises can't depend on carriers or vendors to analyze threats; they
should assess products and cobble together their own solutions.
* Some mobile OSs are far more vulnerable to malware attacks than others.
Mobile Malware: The Enterprise at Risk, a 20-page report, is available as part of an annual subscription (six issues) to Unstrung Enterprise Insider, priced at $1,295. Individual reports are available for $900.
To subscribe, or for more information, please visit: http://www.unstrung.com/enterprise.
Launched in February 2006, Unstrung Enterprise Insider tracks, analyzes, and evaluates the key industry and technology developments that will have the biggest impact on the enterprise mobility market -- and by extension the entire communications supply chain -- in the months and years ahead. This new service offers keen insight into the hot-button issues that will affect enterprise deployment of enterprise mobility products and services, including:
* Next-gen mobile telecom and computing devices and their impact on
enterprise networks
* Critical mobility applications, including VOIP
* Security issues -- and solutions -- affecting corporate mobility
applications
* Convergence of fixed and mobile communications in enterprise networks
* Detailed cost-of-ownership analyses that offer a much-needed reality
check for enterprise decision-makers
To request a free executive summary of the report, or for details of multi-user licensing options, please contact:
Jeff Claudino
Director of Sales, Insider Research Services
619-229-9940
claudino@lightreading.com
Press/analyst contact:
Dennis Mendyk
Managing Director, Heavy Reading
201-587-2154
mendyk@heavyreading.com
About Light Reading
Reaching a core audience of more than 917,000 enterprise IT managers and executives, Light Reading Inc. publishes http://www.lightreading.com, the leading global content site for the telecom industry; http://www.byteandswitch.com, a storage networking site; http://www.unstrung.com, dedicated to wireless networking; and coming May 2006, Dark Reading, a data security site. Light Reading is also affiliated with http://www.heavyreading.com. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005, and operates as a unit of CMP Media LLC.
About CMP Media
Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands in the technology, healthcare, and lifestyles industries, CMP (http://www.cmp.com) has earned the confidence of more professionals and enthusiasts in these fields than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight, and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in each of these industries in ways that yield superior return on investment. CMP is a subsidiary of United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion.
Source: prnewswire
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Related Articles
|
