With the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) craze hitting enterprises, universities, hospitals, and everywhere between, IT administrators may find a checklist a good option to take charge of what’s coming their way. As millions of employees walk into the new year with devices received as holiday gifts, what better time to buckle down and successfully implement a plan for 2012?

An illustrated depiction of poll results from other MORE Webinars will give you the insight needed to respond to the influx of employee-owned tablets and smartphones at your place of business.

The BYOD party has started, folks. Now its up to IT leadership to decide how it will be handled. It would be wise to act on what the latest statistics say about emerging trends in mobility. To get started on the right track, submit your request for a free evaluation of MaaS360 mobile device management (MDM).

This year, the security of confidential information on mobile devices is a top concern for companies across the world. Executives are being urged to finalize mobile security strategies while IT departments are in the drivers seat for implementation. Screw-ups will assuredly have a lasting backlash on the parties that fail to prepare. To add to the stress, data growth is running rampant and the release of lost and stolen information has become more damaging with each new headline. The margin for error is thin indeed.

If your company has made major systematic changes, taken a closer look at its processes, or made changes to how it uses technology, you shouldn’t be surprised. These are all reactionary moves in face of a quickly changing landscape. For many companies, addressing the growing number of mobile workers has been the biggest struggle.

Every day, new devices equipped with new technology and sensitive data are connecting to the corporate network, spelling out potential for disaster for many CIOs. Who could blame them for being paranoid? The security of data is too important to ignore.

Take for example the results of a poll conducted by the Dimensional Research for Check Point Software Technologies. 71% of IT professionals believe an uptick in security events experienced by their company during the past two years can be attributed to increased mobile device use. On that point, 78% said they’ve seen such use of smartphones and tablets double in that time.

At first glance, it seems as if there’s a connection between the security incidents and the increased use of devices, or the iPads, iPhones, and Androids being brought to work by employees. Cloud computing, “hacktivism”, and mobility have brought a lot of change to the world of enterprise IT in recent years; the more reliant companies become on these new technologies and ideas, risk will continue to increase.

What we are unsure of, however, is the mobility environment of each IT professional polled, and what tools they were using at work. Without knowing, how can we attribute the rise in data breaches to smartphones and tablets? A mobile device management (MDM) solution allows proper implementation of a given mobile security strategy while giving the director the means to oversee their device inventory. In other words, it provides peace of mind in place of frustration.

What is your company doing to manage the mobile devices connecting to the corporate network? If devices are being kept at home as a preventative measure, you could be missing out on potential for increased productivity and a practical means for doing work. Share your story with us in the comments below.

Smartphone banking is today’s smart way of managing money on the go. We’ve all come to appreciate it for the simplicity and convenience it offers us. While the perks are great (quick access to funds, account balance summaries anytime, anywhere) safety and privacy have remained prime concerns.

For this reason, I’ve come up with a checklist of best practices to keep in mind while enjoying the smartphone banking experience:

1. Download your relevant banking application on the mobile device. Ensure that your banking app receives its software updates to avoid any exploitation of the software loopholes by hackers. Also, it is recommended that you use any tools or Internet browsers recommended by your bank. This way you may be certain that account information and any financial transactions are relayed in a secured and encrypted manner.
2. Refrain from using public wireless networks to avoid any hackers sniffing into your mobile device and stealing your important and confidential financial information. It’s a good idea to connect to your smartphone banking application over a secured or private wireless network.
3. Be cautious when accessing your account. Banking applications typically prompt the smartphone user for a login password each time they log in to keep a check on any fraud activity. If you find any unusual behavior while accessing your account details, report it to your bank for further investigation.
4. Cover your tracks! Some banking applications store sensitive and confidential data in clear text. After every mobile transaction, you must check for any data traces left behind on the phone.
5. Always lock your phone when not using it to prevent unauthorized user access. Check your phone settings and enable the auto-lock feature if you have a tendency to keep your phone unlocked.
6. Ensure that your mobile device has remote wipe installed or enabled. This security feature is a must; the foremost feature every smartphone user must set up lest the device falls into the wrong hands. Also, notify your financial institution about your lost device so that no texts or emails containing your account details or other financial matters will be sent to your mobile device.
7. Refrain from sending or sharing any financial data over text messages. It is an easy way of exposing critical information to hackers or cyber criminals. Also, delete or ignore any messages or emails received from unknown senders asking for your account details.
8. Use strong and complex passwords for your mobile banking account. It is a good practice to have passwords that are eight or more characters, using numbers, symbols, letters and punctuation instead of ‘1234’ or passwords based on your birthday or anniversary.

Do you have any recommendations for safe banking on smartphones? Please share your suggestions and comments below. If you’re a financial institution looking to keep your device inventory secure, see how an MDM solution can help.

This brings up a lot of issues for any industry where privacy and security is important. You want to make sure you know exactly where account information is and who has access to it. For banks and credit unions, the penalties for lost data can be severe.

You’ll need policies that give data access to those who truly need it. Policies that require passcodes, encryption, and more. Did you know that early versions of some platforms have very few security features? Policies, if enforced correctly, can be used to keep devices on later versions of the software.

Alerts are helpful, too. Would your IT department like to know when a device is jailbroken or rooted? How about when a user exceeds the threshold on their monthly data plan? Mobile Device Management (MDM) can do all this and more.

A good MDM solution lets you:

• Enforce passcode type, complexity, length and how often they have to be changed
• Specify if users can set their devices to show the text of the passcodes when they enter them
• Specify if the data on the device must be encrypted (when supported by the manufacturer)
• Turn off device features like the camera, Bluetooth, and tethering
• Blacklist, approve or require certain apps
• Specify enforcement actions that will be taken automatically if the device is out of compliance
• Securely push apps to devices
• Securely push documents to devices and prevent them from being forwarded, if necessary
• Perform actions on the device, including:
  • Remote wipe
  • Remote lock
  • Block
  • Locate
  • Reset passcode

For Financial institutions, it’s not enough to say that your devices are secure. You have to be able to prove it if you need to. If a device with financial information is lost, you’ll need to be able to prove that the device was encrypted, or that it was wiped after the loss was reported.

You’ll need to be able to see:

• All the software and apps installed
• If the device is fully encrypted
• The history of the device, including if it has been wiped
• The total roaming mobile data usage for the last six months
• Whether devices are owned by your institution or by the user
• If the device is jailbroken or routed (a potential source of malware)

“One day, the tablet will reign supreme over the laptop and PC.”

We’ve all heard the argument before. It could be years down the road, but that’s not to say it won’t happen… and the tireless work of Android and iOS application developers certainly isn’t hurting the tablet’s case. Today, app upgrades and new releases come to us at such a rate that its a true challenge to keep your personal device up-to-date. As we base our decision to go Tablet on price, features, and size, a complete transition will depend greatly on the success of the apps that are released. More specifically, it will depend on how much more benefit they bring us in comparison to our computer programs.

So which of these apps will play the biggest role in this transition? The equivalents of computer programs we utilize regularly for business purposes. Microsoft Office, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel being among the most popular.

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal announced the release of a free iPad app by OnLive, Inc., which gives users full access to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. All you need to do is sign up for a free OnLive account and you get 2GB of free cloud space to store/access the spreadsheets, presentations, and Word documents that you created on your iPad. To access them on the computer, just log in to your OnLive account from their website. Sounds great, right? Not so fast. You won’t be able to open .ppt, .doc, or .xls files attached in emails, nor will you be able to edit and generate content quickly without a keyboard accessory. But these cons I’d classify as inconveniences aren’t what we need to worry about…

The worst part about this great app is having to surrender the security of sensitive/private information. Any organization looking to keep their documents in-house should be wary of the risks that come with loading a file to a location external to their network. Wouldn’t it be great if this app allowed users to keep their files local? Empowered by document management, today’s IT administrators can control the flow of attachments transferred across all mobile devices in their network by giving their employees a secure means to share. If this OnLive app enabled employees to work within these bounds, now that would make a more compelling case for switching from PC to tablet (and staying there).

What factors are playing in to your decision to stick with a computer versus a tablet (or vice-versa)? Do you agree that quality apps shaped from the influence of computer programs will ensure this transition comes to fruition? Are limitations–such as lack of security or control over your documents–holding you back?

So, which tablet did you receive over the holiday season? Was it the Kindle Fire, the Motorola Xoom, or the iPad?

With the iPad dominating the tablet ecosystem early 2011, this is a question you rarely would have heard or thought to ask. But as the year continued, technology progressed, and many more tablets entered the ring. While market sales indicate that Amazon’s Kindle Fire was the most popular device of the 2011 holiday shopping season, the iPad should continue to fare well. The risks of Android fragmentation in the context of device management may scare off enough to work in their favor. The bottom line is, the the tablet market is gaining momentum and is on the rise…with names such as the Asus Transformer Prime, the Samsung Galaxy Y, and BlackBerry’s PlayBook to add to the bunch.

According to IDC France, the tablet market is forecasted to bypass 4.1 million this year, representing a 48% growth in comparison to 2011. I do not however believe that tablets will dominate laptops or desktops, as each of these devices serves its own purpose.

Let me explain…

Like many of you, I own an Android, an iPad, a home machine for my parents and a work machine for my corporate assignments. As mentioned above, each of these devices serve a specific purpose and in my opinion are irreplaceable. I’ll use my iPad to read while I’m traveling for example, or to watch videos on my own time. But no matter how useful it may be, I cannot make the full transition from my computers given the comparably insufficient internal storage it provides. Another thing–the tablet keyboard isn’t user-friendly enough for me to write pages and pages without hurting my hands or wrists. Tablets are good for composing and sending a few emails a day, but I prefer my corporate machine if I need to respond to more than 20.

One of the main reasons tablets are gaining popularity is their ‘touch screens’ and ‘portability’. Many industries, such as education and healthcare, are already using these types of devices for information sharing. Like any other novice technology, tablets do face a good share of challenges, all of which are relevant to consumers and enterprise users:

1. Many smartphone users find it redundant to own a smartphone and a tablet. Tablet vendors and product strategists must deliver high tech, more compact, feature- and application-rich tablets at competitive prices. Some other tablet needs include: easy access to SD cards, better USB support, and better or’real’ keyboards for authors, students, teachers, etc…, who write more than one page per day.

2. Preserving data integrity and preventing mobile malware infestations continue to be key concerns within the mobile ecosystem. Do tablet users securely access business or banking apps? Or enterprise content over public networks? Do they follow the basic security practices for preventing unauthorized access and data breaches?

3. Rise of personally-owned tablets in workplaces, or BYOD (bring-your-own-device): Gartner recently predicted that “By 2016, at least 50 percent of enterprise email users will rely primarily on a browser, tablet or mobile client instead of a desktop client.” As employees and mobile workers bring their portable computers to work, have organizations defined their tablet management strategy? Are they prepared to handle this sudden influx of employee- and corporate-owned smartphones and tablets in their workplaces?

4. 2012 will witness the rise of a more fragmented tablet market. This implies more choices for consumers, which is certainly good news for those looking to address specific needs. However, enterprises must have a robust and scalable infrastructure to accomodate the upcoming releases or needs of the dynamic mobile market.

As an iPad user, I believe the tablets are here to stay. They have their own market but tablet computing needs to evolve.

Don’t you agree that this tablet trend is on? And for all you tablet-owners out there, what kind do you have and what has your experience been like so far?

Yep, it’s that time of year again. As people begin removing lights and ornaments from their trees and taking off those goofy Near Years Eve sunglasses, tech pundits across the web are relaying their forecasts and views of what enterprise technology landscape will look like in 2012…

Unsurprisingly, enterprise mobility has figured prominently on just about every list that has been published. Two of the more recent ones from InformationWeek and PCWorld specifically addressed the role that tablets will play in mobile device management (MDM) programs this year.

According to InformationWeek, the IT professionals’ view of tablets has flip-flopped over the past few years. In 2010, when Apple instituted the dawn of a new era with the iPad, the majority of IT pros said the devices would be a “non-event”. Just two years later this stance has begun eroding.

Now it seems that IT pros are jumping on the tablet bandwagon, as it has become obvious that they can provide access and productivity benefits. These feelings aren’t yet ubiquitous, but its heading in that direction.

“Our bet? They will be, you will support them, and you’ll do so in pretty substantial numbers during the next few years,” the report stated, referring to tablets serving as mobile professionals’ tool of choice and companies lending support to them.

In conjunction with this prediction, the PCWorld report insinuates laptop replacement (with tablets) can actually support an organization’s mobile expense management program.

The move can go a long way in lowering capital expenditures. What’s more, tablets will boost the employees’ satisfaction, as the devices have been built for enjoyment and ease of use. Such factors ensure tablets are utilized to their fullest extent and professionals get all they can out of them.

PCWorld warns however that organizations must address security concerns when implementing tablets. Vendors have already begun to recognize such needs and are developing antivirus and encryption solutions focused exclusively on tablets.

“Consumerization” is the buzzword right now, as more organizations look for ways to support personal-owned devices in the new year. Do you bring your own device to work? Or do you leave your tablet at home?

While the best of us remain pondering about a good new year’s resolution, Small & Medium Business leadership seem to have theirs all figured out. Based on the NPD Group‘s latest report, businesses with 1,000 employees (or less) plan to invest in tablets in a big way over the next twelve months. And this isn’t a trend among few; roughly three quarters (73%) of SMBs are on-board.

Here are the major findings from the survey…

The percentage of SMBs that intend to purchase tablets in 2012:

- 54% of <50 employee companies
- 70% of 50-200 employee companies
- 81% of 201-500 employee companies
- 89% of 501-999 employee companies

The percentage of SMBs that plan to increase or maintain spending:

- 88% of <50 employee companies
- 83% of 50-200 employee companies
- 91% of 201-500 employee companies
- 90% of 501-999 employee companies

The amount that will be spent on tablets in 2012:

- $1,912 per <50 employee company
- $10,122 per 50-200 employee company
- $27,031 per 201-500 employee company
- $38,749 per 501-999 employee company

Aside from these staggering figures pulled from their survey, NPD also found that the ”iPad purchase preference is higher among larger firms than smaller ones, which is an important indicator that Apple is gaining traction far outside its typical consumer space.”

If this sounds like your company, keep your eyes peeled for new iPads this year. These spending projections speak volumes about the consumerization of IT, and the prevalence of mobile device use in the workplace. Are you fit to handle this influx of tablets? Register for our webinar on January 5th and learn the best practices for enabling iPhones and iPads at work.

What are you using to get the job done today? Whatever it is, chances are you’d be reluctant to go back to a typewriter and briefcase packed with handwritten contents. Tablets, smartphones, desktops and laptops are here to stay. They’ve worked their way into our routine in so many ways that it makes it difficult to grasp the hard truth. That being, the more ways we use these devices the more risk they present us. An overwhelming number of organizations have overlooked this risk… but why? Perhaps the edge these devices provide us is the very thing that blinds us. The worst part is, the stakes have never been higher.

As newspaper headlines continue to report, the cons can indeed beat out the pros in the long run. An unplanned accident can steal away more than just your devices–your time, finances, and a once good reputation are sure to follow. Many times this damage is too hard to overcome. If you’re unprepared, you’ll have nowhere to turn or hide when your day comes.

You may find yourself smirking with this ‘better safe than sorry’ position, but take a real-life, worst-case-scenario into consideration and learn what happened to the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative. This 35 person not-for-profit company was blindsided not more than a year ago when its hope to do good went terribly wrong. Their plan was to help hospitals convert their handwritten patient records into electronic documents, making the workday a whole lot easier and transfer of information much more efficient. But ponder what happens when this information falls into the wrong hands…

After receiving a phone call from a distressed employee about his stolen device, it was already too late for Micky Tripathy. 600 hours and $280,000 later, there is still irreparable damage to his organization’s reputation. Micky has since mandated that all files entering and leaving their devices are done so both purposefully and with encryption. This new strategy will make unfortunate recurrences unlikely in the future, but these right steps were taken at the wrong time.

Of the many things that have become obsolete with the information age, peace of mind wasn’t one of them. And it doesn’t look to be going anywhere anytime soon… so what is your company doing to avoid crises such as this? Do you have the right strategy in place to avoid a financial and reputational backlash as a result of your technology? Do you have a way to wipe or partially wipe your employees’ phones? Enforce passwords in case they fall into the wrong hands? Or a way to locate them when they are lost or stolen? Share with us your story, and what your doing to keep your devices and their files secure.

Since its release last month, industry pundits have debated whether the low-cost Amazon kindle fire will be the one to disrupt the immense market lead enjoyed by the Apple iPad. Earlier discussions point to the fire as the best competitor yet…

There have been plenty of candidates, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab, Motorola Xoom and RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook. So far, none have come close to clutching the coattails of the iPad.

This has held true in both the consumer and enterprise markets. The latter has been a goldmine for Apple and opened a door which had previously been sealed shut, where such devices were once perceived as entirely consumer-focused. The door has steadily creaked open as more companies experience the benefits of the iPad with use of a mobile device management platform.

The kindle fire is the latest competitor looking to knock the iPad from its throne. Based on Amazon’s line of popular Kindle eReaders, the device sports a pared-down version of Google’s Android mobile operating system.

But can it compete with the iPad in the enterprise segment? This was the topic of a recent IT World Canada report, where several experts weighed in on the idea of business professionals making use of the kindle fire.

One area that is sure to please any IT administrator’s mobile expense concerns is the device’s price tag. At a low-end price of $199, the tablet by all accounts is a robust and formidable offering.

What’s more, the device gives users direct access to Amazon’s high-powered network and one of the largest and most popular cloud services on the market. It may not be up there with Apple in the application department, but this figures to change the longer it is on the market. Once developers get their bearings straight with the device, companies can expect an influx of new offerings tailored to the mobile professional’s needs.

So, if your company is among the many looking leverage tablets as a part of an enterprise mobility program, the low-cost, highly versatile kindle fire is worth a look. What are your thoughts?