Dedicated devices: A possible solution to mobility

The use of mobile devices in the workplace is becoming increasingly common, thanks to undeniable benefits such as remote working and collaboration, but the use of such devices has raised a number of organisational risks, according to Wavelink.

To protect companies from these risks, organisations should consider using dedicated workplace mobile devices, the company says.

Ilan Rubin, Wavelink managing director, says, "As soon as a company lets an employee use a standard mobile device for work purposes, sensitive internal information could be at risk.

"If that phone is lost or stolen, for example, internal information on mobile-based applications, such as email, can be compromised.

"Additionally, phone-based business applications linked to internal systems can create a weak point through which unauthorised access can be gained to an organisation's internal networks and obtain confidential or commercially sensitive information."

Gartner predicts that the security risks presented by smartphones used for business purposes will mean that by 2017, the focus of endpoint security breaches will shift to mobile devices, rather than internal IT systems.

According to Wavelink, not all businesses realise they have the option of alternative communications devices that present minimal risks while offering maximum mobility in the workplace.

Such devices, which use dedicated internal workplace networks for staff communications let businesses keep all of their sensitive information safe while providing the mobility offered by external devices, the company says.

Rubin says, "Internal voice-over wireless LAN devices that use a company's private Wi-Fi network provide all the benefits of a smartphone without the security risks of a public network.

"Similarly, DECT phones handsets can keep internal communications safe from prying ears.

"These devices have many other benefits that consumer-grade mobile devices do not offer, such as easily interchangeable batteries for longer use-time, completely secure text messaging, little or no network drop out, push-to-talk capabilities, and staff protection functionality such as duress and location tracking."

Businesses in sectors as diverse as manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality are already taking advantage of these features while getting the benefits of the added security this technology offers, Wavelink says.

"Given the rising security issues associated with increasing workplace mobility, dedicated workplace mobile devices are increasingly important for businesses looking to protect themselves and their customers from the risks associated with standard mobile devices," Rubin says.