
Mobile Devices Threats
The biggest threat to your network is the smallest device in your user s hand. Mobile devices pose a serious management challenge
I have recently had cause to consider the challenge of managing mobile devices - the various wireless, handheld, portable, and other devices that are sometimes, but not always, connected to the network.
The penetration of BlackBerries, PDAs, smartphones, portables, laptops and other mobile devices is constantly increasing. Everywhere you go people are tapping away at their BlackBerries, thumbing out messages on their cell phones, or scrolling through content on their Palm devices.
Some of these people are surfing the Web, but many are working - getting e-mail, updating sales reports, logging in to corporate portals, downloading brochures, or messaging with colleagues. The BlackBerry supports most corporate mail servers, and runs custom applications. Most new cell phones connect to the Web, get e-mail and run Java applications. Many devices run Windows Mobile (such as the new Treo 700W), and are fully compatible with commercial applications, such as Microsoft Office. Some, like Sony’s “micro PC” , run a full version of Windows XP Pro. (more…)