Latest Mobile and Wireless Security News

Rising amount of portable storage devices is causing an unprecedented security risk
posted on 23/10/2006

As flexible working practices become more popular, USB drives are becoming cheaper and have bigger memories, and, as a result, can hold large amounts of information. Viruses can open and run automatically, as soon as a USB device is plugged in to a computer – increasing the ease with which viruses can be transferred on to a network and data can be removed. Centennial Software warns that the rising amount of portable storage devices is causing an unprecedented security risk. This is in response to research which has revealed that one in three UK employees uses at least three USB drives in the office every day. As a result, Centennial Software believes that employers should cut down the number of unauthorised devices in the workplace by complementing existing security policies with the offer of a charity donation for every USB drive handed in. Centennial is even offering to safely wipe and dispose of unwanted devices. This call for a USB amnesty comes at a time when consumers and b... [more]

Danware opens UK subsidiary
posted on 20/10/2006

Danware has chosen to invest in the UK market by establishing a local presence under the name of its wholly owned subsidiary, NetOp Tech Ltd. Danware, which develops security and remote control technology software – including NetOp Desktop Firewall and NetOp Netfilter – has opened an office in Reading to provide a base for servicing and supporting existing UK partners and customers. With a local presence, the firm can now put a structured partner programme in place, that attracts partners like Enterprise International (EI), which this month signed an international partner agreement to work for Danware across several European markets including the UK and Italy. The opening of NetOp Tech Ltd follows the recent launch of Danware subsidiaries in Germany and the US. Over 90 per cent of Danware’s earnings and turnover is derived from overseas markets and the UK market is set to play a major role in the growth of the company. Mike Kibblewhite, newly appointed country manager, believes... [more]

Private Equity Firm Terra Firma selects Endpoint Access Manager to manage the secure use of removable media
posted on 19/10/2006

ControlGuard has announced that Terra Firma, a leading international private equity firm, has selected its flagship security product, Endpoint Access Manager™. The firm chose ControlGuard’s solution as a proactive strategy to manage the secure use of removable media and portable devices and protect against the risk of malware, information leakage and data theft. Like most financial institutions, Terra Firma commonly uses removable media and portable devices, such as thumb drives, CDs, iPods and cell phones. With data theft scandals on the rise, the company needed a way to mitigate potential security risks. Terra Firm chose ControlGuard’s Endpoint Access Manager, because it allows financial services organizations to easily prevent unauthorized use of removable media and portable devices through policy enforcement and real-time monitoring capabilities. It enables Terra Firma to centrally control, monitor and record how data is uploaded and downloaded from removable media and portabl... [more]

Remote workers aggravate network security risks because of a false sense of awareness
posted on 10/10/2006

A new study commissioned by Cisco Systems has revealed that while most remote workers say they are aware of security issues, their behavior - that includes sharing work computers with non-employees, opening unknown emails, and hijacking neighbors' wireless networks - suggests otherwise. The study spotlights the challenge that behavioral and cultural tendencies create for IT security teams as more employees work outside of traditional offices - a business practice that can enhance productivity yet jeopardize corporate and personal security. Whether they work at home, at a café, or in a hotel, numerous findings indicate that remote workers aggravate network security concerns because of a false sense of awareness. In fact, while two of every three teleworkers surveyed (66 percent) said they are cognizant of security concerns when working remotely, many admitted behavior that undermines and contradicts their awareness. Their reasons offer valuable insight for IT and security managers ar... [more]

Implementing Mobile Security at The Ritz London
posted on 09/10/2006

The Ritz London provides for all travellers and guests, many of whom are celebrity ‘A’ listers so famous that they need to use pseudo names during their stay. For this reason diplomacy, tact and sensitivity is very high on the agenda at The Ritz and every attention is paid to detail so that no faux-pas or indiscretion is made as far as their guests confidentiality is concerned. Therefore, when Richard Isted the IT manager for The Ritz had his brand new PDA stolen, as a thief knifed through his bag aboard a cramped, hot and steamy bus during the July 7th bombings – security of mobile devices suddenly became a top priority. Richard had only just picked up his PDA 4 hours earlier and thankfully hadn’t had a chance to download any confidential information onto the device. However it was already synchronised to his email and the security built into the existing email synchronisation software meant that for the device to “self destruct” it had to connect back to the mobile network. Thi... [more]

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