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Last fall, global IT corporation Juniper Networks released a survey that, among other findings, offered this eye-opening statistic: 81 percent of all mobile device users link into their employers' networks without the firms' knowledge or permission. If that wasn't bad enough, a recent McAfee and Carnegie Mellon University study details some remarkably risky behavior by corporate mobile users, and also offers this nugget: While 95 percent of businesses have mobile device security policies in place, only one in three employees are aware of those policies.

Careless employee behavior isn't the only issue. Mobile malware is on the rise-particularly in the Android marketplace. On top of that, the inherent differences in the security requirements between the Apple iOS and Android operating systems pose another serious challenge. In short, you might have a problem on your hands.

Solutions
The challenge is this: What's the best way to manage the range of devices employees can bring on to your network? A robust mobile device management (MDM) policy-one that integrates smartphones, tablets, USB drives, and laptops, and which also provides a common security and management approach-is the place to start. This article from SearchMobileComputing.com (note: free registration required) offers a checklist of points to consider.

There are also software-based MDM solutions on the market-with more on the way as the field to continues to evolve and expand. Examples include McAfee Enterprise Mobility Management, which integrates secure mobile application access, anti-malware, compliance reporting, and more. Another option is Trend Micro Mobile Security 7.0, an offering that provides centralized security, visibility, and control tools. Sophos Mobile Control allows users to deploy security updates and manage mobile devices from a Web-based console. What about the iPhone? For years, the perception has been that Apple products are largely immune to malware. That's changing, however. As this SC magazine article notes, attacks on the iPhone OS will continue to expand. With that in mind, the French security firm Intego has released a malware scanner designed for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. While that's a good start, numerous security experts such as Kasperky's Nikolay Grebennikov have expressed frustration over Apple iOS restrictions that make it nearly impossible for vendors to create antimalware software for Apple devices.

Best Practices
While these and other software packages are powerful tools, they aren't the only solution. The far better option is to make them part of a comprehensive MDM strategy. With that in mind, check out this ZDNet blog post, which lists a host of MDM best practices from Forrester Research. And this downloadable PDF from the Government Technology Research Alliance (note: free registration required) offers 11 MDM best practices.

For more information on mobile security solutions, contact Productive Corporation:

• Phone: 1.800.726.4099
• Email: help@productivecorp.com