Enterprise IT Security Strategies Ignore Use of Personal Smartphone Devices by Employees

New Survey Shows Widespread Use of Consumer Smartphones for Access to Sensitive Corporate Information

SAN FRANCISCO -- July 22, 2008 -- GuardianEdge, the leader in endpoint data protection for the enterprise, today announced the results of a consumer survey on smartphone usage, revealing that 70 percent of respondents access what they deem to be sensitive information on their smartphone device when away from the office. The "Smartphone Protection Consumer Survey," notes that today’s businesses have become "always on" environments, with employees becoming increasingly reliant upon mobile devices for connectivity when on the road or away from the office. In many cases, employees take the need for increased productivity into their own hands, using their own mobile devices when corporate ones are not provided.

The GuardianEdge-sponsored survey was independently conducted by Decipher, a marketing research service provider specializing in the gathering of online consumer data. It further underscores the threat that smartphones pose to corporate IT security, finding that 89 percent of the 200 respondents polled stated that they were able to review e-mail or access corporate information via their smartphone device. This constant connectivity to company systems, without appropriate protections in place, can create tremendous vulnerabilities in the IT security infrastructure as the devices themselves become smaller, more powerful and more susceptible to loss or theft. However, despite the potential threats from these devices, 69 percent of respondents believe it is necessary to store company or job-related information on their smartphone in order to perform their job function. With access to corporate information on-the-go becoming a necessity for the workforce, organizations can no longer ignore the use of personal smartphones within their organizations.

In addition to revealing consumer smartphone usage habits, the survey also showed that consumer smartphone users are not ignorant of the security risks that their devices pose. A majority of those polled were open to the deployment of data protection technologies on their personal or company issued smartphone device, specifically:

• 82 percent of respondents stated they would be open to their company deploying security technology on their personal or company issued smartphone.
• 75 percent of respondents claimed that they would feel more comfortable traveling for work if their smartphone device was protected with an encryption technology.
• 85 percent of respondents stated they believe companies should deploy data protection technologies on any smartphone device containing company information or accesses company systems for employees who travel.

"Smartphone security will take on increasing importance within enterprise organizations," said Ram Krishnan, senior vice president of products and marketing at GuardianEdge. "As these mobile devices become more powerful, have the ability to store more information, and are increasingly connected to the corporate infrastructure, it is only a matter of time before smartphones become the source of the next data breach. It is also important for enterprises to not overlook the protection of personal smartphone solutions as they pose a significant threat to the corporate network. The GuardianEdge Smartphone Protection solution provides enterprise organizations with a scalable, centrally managed solution, protecting their corporate smartphone devices, and eliminating corporate risk resulting from lost or stolen smartphone devices."

About GuardianEdge

GuardianEdge is the leading provider of endpoint data protection for the enterprise. More than two million users around the world depend on GuardianEdge solutions to safeguard sensitive and proprietary information, to ensure compliance with regulations for maintaining consumer privacy and to enable secure enterprise mobility. The company’s endpoint data protection solutions have been deployed by leading organizations including Lockheed Martin Corporation, Deutsche Bank AG and Humana Inc., as well as numerous agencies in the U.S. departments of Veteran Affairs, Defense, State and Education. For additional information, please visit: www.guardianedge.com.

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