Opting for a centrally-manageable, cross-platform solution, as offered by companies such as Pointsec, ensures that the roll-out runs as smoothly as possible. Everything is managed and controlled centrally so there’s no need to manually install client software on each device since it is being encrypted transparently in the background. Nor to wait for a couple of hours while the client software encrypts the entire contents of the protected device. And because all future upgrades and support are included in the package, it’s easy to work out the cost and to calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the product. Which is significantly less than the cost of crisis-management that would be required if a key laptop or smartphone containing your most valuable data files was lost or stolen while away from company premises.

Choosing a Strategy

One crucial question that many companies consider when evaluating mobile security products is whether to go for the “big-bang” approach and roll it out to every mobile machine from the start, or whether to start with just a few devices and complete the rollout over an extended period. We would always suggest you rollout from the start as staggering the process is just asking for trouble. If a machine gets stolen or lost, you can just bet that it will be one which hasn’t been protected yet.


Whichever supplier you decide to go for, choose carefully. If there’s an offer of some reference sites, contact those references and ask questions. If no reference sites are offered, ask why. Look, too, for industry certifications within your business sector, and for an organisation that can support you 24 x 7, just in case problems do arise. In short, go with an established player and a market leader, so that you can have confidence that the product you choose will continue to be supported and developed in the future.

Conclusion

Rolling out a mobile security project used to be difficult and expensive, but such practice is now becoming widespread in companies of all sizes and in all areas of industry. The ubiquitous laptops, PDAs, smartphones and USB sticks in every department of every organisation nowadays means that your network no longer ends at your main gate, but extends to every employee’s home and every customer site. Rolling a mobile security policy will ensure that your data protection efforts will do so too.