Study Reveals Insight for Mobile Wireless User Protection

Oct 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Aglobal third-party study commissioned by Cisco Systems Inc. and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) reveals behavioral findings among mobile wireless workers that spotlight the human side of security, as businesses and IT organizations empower more and more employees to remain connected outside of their offices.

Conducted this spring by InsightExpress, a market research firm, the study explores what is at stake for businesses striving to become mobile, and, therefore, more agile and efficient. It reveals findings gleaned from more than 700 mobile employees in seven countries that have adopted wireless technologies widely: the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China, India, South Korea and Singapore.

Although the study uncovers risky behavioral trends, the results represent a major opportunity for IT to play a more proactive and strategic role in protecting their employees and businesses overall, both through education and solutions.

This is especially relevant as adoption of wireless and mobility technologies increases. For example, International Data Corp. reports that by 2009, the number of mobile workers in the United States is expected to reach more than 70 percent of the country's total workforce. Korn/Ferry International reports that 81 percent of executives globally are constantly connected via mobile devices.

“Wireless and mobility technologies are here to stay. They're a fact of life,” says Ron Teixeira, executive director of NCSA, an organization chartered to educate the public on online security and safety. “While this study shows mobility provides businesses with new risks, so do other Internet services and new technologies. Mobility and the Internet can be used securely and safely if businesses institute a culture of security within their workforce by providing their employees with continuous cyber security awareness and education programs.”

Almost three of every four (73 percent) mobile users claimed that they are not always cognizant of security threats and best practices when working on the go. Although many said they are aware “sometimes,” 28 percent of them admitted that they “hardly ever” consider security risks and proper behavior. Some of these mobile users even admitted that they “never” consider safe best practices and didn't know they needed to be aware of security risks. When asked why they were lax in their security behavior, many mobile users offered reasons such as, “I'm in a hurry,” “I'm busy and need to get work done,” “Security just is not top-of-mind for me,” and “It's IT's job, not mine.”

Mobile employees admitted to engaging in a variety of risky behavior. A couple of examples include:

Accessing unauthorized wireless connections

• Whether it's hijacking a neighbor's wireless connection or jumping onto unauthorized connections in public places, one-third of mobile users engage in this behavior. China (54 percent) featured the most extreme cases. This behavior was also prevalent in Germany (46 percent) and South Korea (44 percent). Top Reasons: “I can't tell whose connection I'm using”; “Mine isn't working”; “They don't know so it's OK”; “I don't want to pay for my own connection.”

Opening e-mails and attachments from unknown or suspicious sources

• Almost half (44 percent) of all mobile users surveyed said they open e-mails and/or attachments from unknown or suspicious sources. In China, India and the United Kingdom, more than half of mobile end-users admitted to this behavior. A significant number (76 percent) said it is more difficult to identify suspicious e-mails and files on PDAs and smartphones than on laptops because the screens are much smaller.

According to Teixeira, best practices that IT can work with mobile employees on include:

• Use effective passwords that are changed every 90 days

• Update antivirus and anti-spyware programs

• Download necessary patches to operating systems regularly

• Create backups of all important data and files

• Encrypt sensitive data

• Have an emergency response plan for wireless security breaches

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© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

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