Hackers on the move

As more employers are issuing mobile devices, the problem of securing company data is becoming ever more acute. Danny Bradbury looks at the threats firms need to address. Many employees want to cut their companies' apron strings, go mobile and go on the road. But although mobile computing has many benefits, security has to be a key consideration. Experts believe that a mobile computing culture will never be as secure as fixed line access behind a firewall because of the insecurities inherent in radio-based networks such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

"The obvious answer is that sealed, Lan-based access will always be more secure," says Mike Smart, worldwide vice-president of product management and engineering at mobile security services company Gric. "Radio frequencies can be scanned."

Smart says that most of his clients' mobile employees are more aware of the potential security dangers than non-mobile users and are more on their guard. Conversely, working behind a firewall on a terrestrial Lan can lull IT managers and end-users into a false sense of security, says Phil Robinson, managing consultant at security services company IRM.

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