With 21st century employees engaged in flexible working, data security on mobile devices is vital, says Lianne Denness

Many businesses underestimate the importance of securing mobile technology, oblivious to the potential security risks that these small devices bring.

Handheld devices, being small in size, can be easily lost and stolen by thieves who are attracted by the desirability of the device. Most mobile workers do not think about the security of their data when working remotely. They often share computers at home and are less vigilant with equipment while on the move.

With data breaches consistently hitting news headlines, it is imperative that businesses take action now and invest in more secure methods of data storage and transfer. Extra measures must be taken to protect intellectual property and customers’ personal records

Data breaches are mainly caused by lost laptops and unsecured CDs or USB memory sticks and this seems to be an ongoing trend, most recently in the government sector.

One important issue with IT security is the lack of education for end users. This should be determined by the employer to ensure security outside the office is perceived to be of high importance by the mobile workforce.

It is all very well providing lap tops to a mobile workforce and offering health and safety advice where necessary, but it is also important to think about the risks.

Password protection is simply not enough to ensure the safety of sensitive date. Further measures must be taken. The channel should be actively advising organisations on the best way to shield users from mobile attacks, as well as educating the market on the best ways of securing the growing number of business-critical mobile devices to help protect sensitive corporate data.

This presents an obvious and potentially lucrative sales opportunity for the IT reseller community . The mobile working market has boomed over the past few years and resellers need to be arming their customers with additional security products to support mobile workers in this market that shows no sign of decline. If the channel is to truly capitalise on the growing security market and stand out from the competition, it is time for it to think beyond IT.