Companies can learn mobile security lessons from laptops

IT managers today may fear the letters BYOD the most, as they stand for bring-your-own-device. This consumerization of enterprise mobility is presenting numerous security risks that companies now must deal with.

However, according to a recent InfoWorld report, security professionals should look to the past to deal with present issues. Companies previously have weathered this trend with laptops, as many end-users have brought their own computers to work for years.

"Both types of devices have some common security controls, namely device encryption and VPN capability. But from there, they diverge," the report stated.

When it comes to mobile devices, many security professionals are equipping smartphones with remote wipe and lock capabilities, as well as GPS tracking and GPS fencing. All are aimed at addressing lost or stolen devices.

However, companies may soon want to aim their mobile device management at protecting against cyber criminals. Experts agree that hackers are increasingly targeting smartphones, especially those run on Android, with malware aimed at stealing confidential information.