Are Canadian Companies at Risk from Their Own Data?

Online, August 27, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Mobile Device Management; Bring-Your-Own-Device - or simply put BYOD; Enterprise Mobility... Do these newly emerging terms in IT Business mean anything to a common computer user?

Probably not much to their understanding, yet a lot to the government offices and corporate data users as well as providers that are constantly exposed to the risks of data theft, manipulation or bug - all possible nightmares for IT managers across the world.

How can a firm be sure its sensitive data isn't exiting the network on their employee's devices?

Top mobility strategists from IBM, HP, AirWatch and Catavolt were asked this question at the first of its kind live Google Hangout in wake of the developments in the industry and their responses should be an eye-opener for today's IT professionals.

"It really comes down to a firm's cultural and business model, their understanding of any liabilities associated with their employees bringing their own devices and how ready are they to expand the number of devices that they're supporting", says Paul Ashwood, Mobile Applications Services Leader at HP. "Most of the services reside in the cloud and you don't have any idea where physically does your data reside", Paul adds while discussing the challenges in data security.

"We don't look at it just as Device Management itself, but have many requirements in consideration including local and back-end data, people with the access as well as applications involved, front-end streaming or made-up applications infrastructure etc.", described Patrick Vandenberg, Segment Marketing Director for IBM Security Systems while discussing the IBM's three-pillar strategy that includes, managing, enforcing the policy and establishing security controls on the device.

Eric Martin from Catavolt suggests that any organization with sensitive security needs, such as government, healthcare and finance, should keep all enterprise data stored in the back end, not in the cloud or on mobile devices. "Regardless of device chosen, securing the back end enterprise should be a priority. A secure container is less secure than no data storage on the device. If consumers can stream videos and music to their devices, mobile knowledge workers should be able to stream enterprise data and even applications to their devices." Eric suggests this can be achieved through "utilizing cloud middleware, adopting declarative, cross-platform user interface principles and breaking away from cumbersome traditional software development practices. Create an environment where numerous light apps can be quickly created and deployed tailored to a specific team's or user's business process, and keep real time control of it all in the hands of IT."

Kevin Kiley, Director of Enterprise Solutions at AirWatch - a leader in enterprise-grade mobility management and security solutions with more than 7,000 customers across the world - takes a different approach towards empowering the mobile workforce and says: "In some cases [enterprise mobility] is just the matter of getting the information out... but to truly bring a vast amount of productivity down to the user and giving them the ability to edit, create, collaborate... that's we see the power and that's what has really taken off for us".

"Of course, some governance is needed around it and now you see IT having unique controls that they can employ to where that user can access the content and what can they even do with it", Kiley adds.

A recording of the Hangout can be viewed here .

These statements from the global leaders in enterprise mobility came as Toronto prepares to host more than 100 global mobile IT leaders this year at the 2nd Annual Mobile Enterprise Strategies Summit - scheduled on 23rd and 24th October.

The annual summit brings together top strategists and technologists to discuss current and future challenges in data and enterprise mobility, and their possible solutions.

Topics range from improving service delivery and strategic management of integrating mobile devices into corporate framework, to data governance, security and policy framework enabling institutions to remain safe for their internal and external stakeholders.

Sensing the urgency towards developing such strategies and solutions, especially in Canadian corporate IT marketplace, global leaders in Enterprise Mobility have chosen the 2nd Annual Mobile Enterprise Strategies Summit as their networking platform and launching pad to interact with the top IT officials from public and private sector companies. These include IBM, HP, AirWatch, Good Technology and Catavolt.

"We are proud to be a part of the 2nd Annual Mobile Enterprise Strategies Summit and look forward to meeting many other companies to discuss the strategic value of leveraging mobile technologies, as we at IBM feel strongly that you have to put mobile first in your enterprise initiatives to improve employee productivity and provide powerful engagements with customers", said Matt Berry, Director, IBM Mobile Enterprise.

Delegate registrations for the conference are currently open and due to limited places available, organizers - The Strategy Institute - have urged interested IT professionals to confirm their participation sooner than later.

Join top professionals and useful discussions online:
LinkedIn: Enterprise Mobilty Forum - Canada
Twitter: @MobiEnterprise

ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE:
The 2nd Annual Mobile Enterprise Strategies Summit will delve deeper into key mobility issues that are on the radar for decision-makers. Hear from national and international IT leaders on best-in-class strategies and proven case studies. Join your peers to discuss the hottest issues and gain insights to plan, implement, execute and support your mobile enterprise initiatives at this foremost conference in Canada.

Mustafa Iqbal
Senior Marketing Manager
The Strategy Institute
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Mustafa@strategyinstitute.com

ABOUT STRATEGY INSTITUTE:
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