Protect Your Windows Mobile Devices

As more laptops and mobile devices are used, the greater the chance that enterprise security is at risk. How many times have you read about a government agency that has lost sensitive data when one of its handhelds was stolen? You’d be surprised at how many of these losses are not reported — the problem is really greater than you might expect.

To protect themselves businesses must invest in mobile security solutions. The ideal product includes support for multiple portable device types, protecting not just laptop computers but also mobile devices like Palm, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, iPhone, or Symbian. The more devices supported, the better.

Consider mobile security solutions that support a wide variety of features:

• Data encryption to keep confidential data safe
• Device locking via password
• Centralized management and control of all devices
• Remote wiping of a device when lost or stolen
• Antivirus and firewall support to protect the user from malware and other threats
• Enforcement of corporate security policies

Not everyone who uses a notebook or a handheld device understands the need for security, so it’s important to educate employees about why security is important and what they must do to help the business keep its data safe. Laptop computers are stolen every day from cars, hotel rooms, coffee shops and airports. Even though most thieves have no interest in corporate data, it puts everything you do at risk and can cause you grief with government agencies in certain industries. Dealing with these security problems proactively is much less expensive.

You should also worry about personal mobile devices. Many employees use these handhelds throughout the work day and important and confidential corporate information may end up on these devices without your permission. A flexible policy on dealing with these devices and letting employees secure them with your support is better and safer in the long run, which is where the right mobile enterprise security solution makes it all possible.