The presence of security software has been a common practice in the PC and laptop sector for many years, but not so in the mobile device arena. The recent series of high-profile security alerts, including Britain’s ‘News of the World’ hacking scandal, has heightened the public’s awareness of the vulnerability of mobile devices.
Juniper’s new Mobile Security research found that businesses are now beginning to spend more on mobile device security applications as they become a critical part of enterprise policy.
Juniper recommends that Enterprise and IT managers audit the security status of their corporate mobile device deployments and take remedial action where necessary
“Enterprise users are in the front line against potential security breaches through insufficient mobile security and companies need to incorporate mobile network connected devices into the corporate network since this is the easiest way to enforce policies and to audit such devices” says report author Nitin Bhas.
The report also found that as more tablets are brought into the enterprise over the next five years, the proportion of tablets featuring security products will also increase and overtake the percentage of smartphones protected.
Other key findings include: Currently less than 1 in 20 smartphones and tablets have third party security software installed in them, despite a steady increase in threats; Mobile security products enter the mainstream by late 2013, crossing $1 Billion; 277 million mobile devices will have some kind of protection installed by 2016.