Embedding Security into Handsets Would Boost Data Usage - Report

Bluefire Security Technologies has released findings from a survey of wireless device and network users suggesting that concerns about the security of mobile devices and data are common. Bluefire's Mobile Device and Network Security Survey confirmed that subscribers are using a wide variety of applications on their devices:

• 65% of respondents use their wireless devices for surfing the Web
• 60% use text and picture messaging
• 54% access corporate email accounts
• 40% access personal web-based accounts

These applications are often a conduit for attacks on networks, mobile devices, and personal data. The increasing risk for security breaches is commonly known; over half of the respondents say they or their employer would deploy more mobile devices, more rapidly, if security was addressed.

The top three mobile security issues selected by respondents:

• protection and/or encryption of the device data (67%)
• loss or theft of a device (64%)
• security of data during wireless transmission (61%)

"Our survey of users of wireless networks and mobile devices should be a wake-up call for device manufacturers and wireless carriers," said Bluefire Security Technologies COO Scott Schelle.

"Enterprises and individuals are relying on their devices for ever more sophisticated tasks and are signaling they want to buy more devices. But until the security issues are addressed purchases will continue to be delayed." Almost 80% of survey respondents indicated that embedded security software - applications preinstalled on handhelds - would likely accelerate purchase and deployment of mobile devices in their organizations.

To obtain a clear picture of user perceptions and activities regarding mobile security, Bluefire Security Technologies conducted a survey of more than 1,500 Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) Conference attendees including carriers, integrators, enterprises and end users. Respondents included representatives of small, mid-size and large enterprises, as well as government and military officials, equipment manufacturers and software developers.

Complete survey data is available for download at: http://www.bluefiresecurity.com/documents/Bluefire_Survey_2005.pdf"

Posted to the site on 28th October 2005