DR Sees Mobile Insecurity

NEW YORK, August 3, 2006 – Convenience and portability have a cost, not necessarily calculated in dollars and cents, but in the risk and exposure that they create, according to a new survey from CMP Technologies' Dark Reading (www.darkreading.com) Website.

The crux of the problem: IT departments have all sorts of security policies that are enforceable when employees are on the premises, but there's no way to prevent them from misusing portable devices when they are offsite or attached to another network, writes Tim Wilson, Senior Editor for Dark Reading, who also oversaw the survey of more than 225 security professionals.

As a result, WiFi-equipped laptops are vulnerable to eavesdroppers, viruses, and spyware at public hotspots. And portable storage devices, such as USB drives or smartphones, can be infected with such malware or stolen outright.

To read part 1 of the article, please visit: www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=99850.

Policies governing the use of portable data devices face multiple obstacles, according to our survey. "One is making users truly understand what 'acceptable use' is," said a security research analyst for a large consumer packaged foods company. "The other is trying to enforce or audit such a policy, which is practically impossible."

Part 2 of the portable data survey, which will appear on Dark Reading next Thursday, August 10, will focus on user dissatisfaction with current technology for securing portable devices, as well as how IT departments have improvised to extend their security policies beyond their own walls.

While respondents agreed that portable device security policies are difficult to enforce, they also agree that the absence of enforceable policies leaves their organizations at risk. More than 40 percent of security administrators said they aren't sure whether they've shut down all of the vulnerabilities in their mobile and wireless network environments, despite having policies in place. About 20 percent said the same thing about portable storage media.

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Contact:
Alix Raine
SVP Communications
CMP Technology
600 Community Drive
Manhasset, NY 11030
516-562-7827
[email protected]

About Dark Reading
Dark Reading is the latest enterprise-focused Web publication to emerge from CMP Technology's business unit, Light Reading Inc. As the Web's only one-stop security shop, Dark Reading simplifies the challenges IT professionals face in keeping informed about the latest viruses, enterprise network security, and data privacy.

About Light Reading
Light Reading Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CMP Media, is a B-to-B network information provider. Light Reading publishes www.lightreading.com, the leading global content site for the telecom industry; www.byteandswitch, a storage networking site; and www.unstrung.com, dedicated to wireless networking. Light Reading is also affiliated with www.heavyreading.com, a market research site for quantitative analysis of telecom technology to carriers, service providers, and vendors.

About CMP Technology
Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands in the technology, healthcare, and lifestyles industries, CMP Technology 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.