[Summary] How Secure Is Your Mobile Worker?

Let’s start with how well do you know your mobile worker? Understanding the mobile worker’s perceptions and behaviors will offer a better view on the potential security implications your organization must manage. Cisco just released new global research (white paper) , Cisco Connected World International Mobile Security study, that explores the mobile worker’s view points on working remotely, connecting to corporate and their sense of security. Some of the findings are worth reflecting on to help you set the course for your mobile security efforts.

There is no question; the movement for mobile personal devices in the workforce has been well recognized. A recent response to this trend includes employers (almost half) offering to fund workers buying their own devices. Allowing “chose your own” device will attract and retain talent and reduce costs (see recent IBSG BYOD research)—but what are the security implications?

There were a couple striking data points to call out:

63% download sensitive data on their device …and the frequency significantly increases in some countries—

Most believe remote access is a privilege—yet in some countries they believe it’s a right as a worker—

Most are diligent when a pop up appears and read through the details on what it really means. Yet, some workers from select countries tend to be generally less careful.

60% admit to engaging in risky behavior on a device (personal or company-owned), connected to corporate resources,

So, who really owns the mobile security issue—mobile workers do not take full responsibility for a safe device–as expressed in their high confidence in their IT with over 84% believing that IT will protect them from threats no matter what device. Read more on http://blogs.cisco.com/security/how-secure-is-your-mobile-worker-2/