Mobile Hotspot Security At Forefront Of Enterprise IT Concerns

By Doug Louie, Senior Director, Product Marketing at Smith Micro

Enterprise data control at the device level is futile without trusted, network-level security.

So say most of the 250 IT managers polled in a recent enterprise survey commissioned by Smith Micro Software, Inc. In fact, 75% of responders rank security as their main concern when it comes to mobile hotspot device usage among employees. Additionally, while 93% of companies surveyed are responsible for all or part of employee data plans, almost half of IT managers feel they do not have adequate control over employee hotspot devices.

Massive mainstream adoption of personal tablets and smartphones in the workplace have ushered in the BYOD (bring your own device) movement. Rapidly. Enterprise IT teams hurriedly scrambled to implement mobile device management programs to accommodate their gadget-loyal employees; however, like with any quick fix, there is often a price to pay in the aftermath. These consumerization trends have exposed the need to implement greater security oversight, mobile policy management, and cost containment efforts.

The most glaring gaps caused by early device management deployment are found in connectivity, cost, and network controls. Businesses are realizing the need to rethink their BYOD programs as enterprise mobility takes quantum steps forward. And while a growing number of consumers are embracing mobile hotspots and the advantages of multi-device connectivity, when these devices are introduced into the workplace, the burden falls on enterprise IT to make them secure.

These survey results underscore a significant difference between the enterprise IT perspective and the end-user perspective on mobility: where consumers focus on usability and flexible purchase plans, IT requires more controls to reduce security risks and costs of ownership.

The long-term answer for enterprises in terms of a mobile hotspots and personal devices? The right enterprise mobility management (EMM) strategy can solve the broad spectrum of challenges introduced by BYOD adoption. EMM is the set of people, processes, and technology focused on managing the increasing array of mobile devices, wireless networks, and related services to enable broad use of enterprise mobile computing. The most effective EMM platforms are designed with security, simplicity, and savings in mind.

To minimize risk, IT managers need to think far beyond the device and expand their attention to address mobile device security at the network layer, along with apps and data. Connectivity providers such as Smith Micro are helping to make personal hotspot devices easier for enterprises to secure and manage, while giving consumers the data and tools they need to easily connect all of their devices without breaking the bank on their data plans.

Until businesses figure out a comprehensive enterprise mobility management strategy, security issues will haunt the dreams of IT managers everywhere.