Posts Tagged ‘security’

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How Mobile Workers Will Change Your Business

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This post, written by Melissa Campeau, originally appeared in Profitguide.com.

A new IDC Canada report suggests organizations will rethink policies, security and collaborative tactics as teams go mobile

If you haven’t seen all your employees in one room since the holiday party, welcome to the new mobile norm. It’s been projected that 73% of employed Canadians will be at least somewhat mobile by 2016. But empowering staff to work anywhere, any time will necessitate a change in business practices over time.

A new report by IDC Canada predicts the Canadian mobile worker population will grow from 69% to 73% by 2016. The study, based on multiple sources including Statistics Canada labour force data and a survey of 500 Canadian executives, defined a mobile worker simply as someone who is not always working at a desk. “They could be a travelling executive, a sales rep, a field worker, a telecommuter, working on location or just working from a Starbucks a few hours each day,” says Krista Napier, senior analyst and tracker lead, mobility for IDC Canada.

While businesses of all sizes have experienced an uptick in the number of mobile workers, IDC research shows small companies in Canada are much more likely to have on-the-go employees than their larger counterparts. Specifically, says Napier, workers in smaller companies are more likely to spend at least three days a week away from their office, whether in the field, on location or working from home.

With this evolution, the report predicts significant changes to the way businesses operate. And because small businesses are already wading into the deep end of the mobility pool, they’re likely to experience the forecasted trends first.

Planning specifically for mobile expenses will become the norm, if it’s not already. “Smaller companies will need scalable and affordable solutions for dealing with a more mobile workforce,” says Napier.

Businesses will also look to develop a framework for mobility, suggests the report. A policy for mobile work could provide a guideline for managers and employers to understand expectations, security issues and more. This might also include extra training, Napier notes, to make sure workers know how to get the most out of their mobile devices.

While there are clear benefits to mobile work, less face time with colleagues could translate into fewer impromptu brainstorm sessions and exchanges of ideas. Organizations will look to counter this, suggests the report, by making greater use of collaborative tools including social networking sites, video conferencing and webinars.

Not surprisingly, businesses are likely to lean more on the cloud, as workers become increasingly mobile. With employees able to access data more easily and independently, IT professionals will be able to spend more time developing business-enhancing initiatives instead of focusing mainly on maintenance, the report notes.

And finally, weaving loss-prevention solutions into mobile strategies will be more and more necessary, since an increase in mobile workers can amount to an increased risk of exposed information. “Security around both the hardware and the data residing on them will become more complicated as trends like BYOD (bring your own device) continue to proliferate,” says Napier. “They will need to be addressed.”

To see the original article, go to Profitguide.com 

 

 

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Managing mobile technology while travelling for business

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Tips for business travel with RogersThis week we bring you part II of our series on managing mobility costs while travelling as a small business. In our last post, we talked about how to find the right plan that “fit” your travel activity and use of mobile devices. This week, we look at making sure you have a secure wireless internet connection when on the go.

How to set up a secure connection to internet and data services outside the office

We expect to be able to access the internet wherever we are for whatever we need. However, when you are on the road or travelling abroad for business, accessing the internet can be challenging. Not only may connections be slower, but you are also at a greater security risk, especially when connecting to public networks or using a public computer.

The key to using the internet securely when traveling is to understand the additional risks, use caution and be prepared.

Control your own internet in public Wi-Fi zones

Public Wi-Fi is often the most convenient choice – especially if you want to check a quick email in a coffee shop. However, cyber-hacking software and wireless eaves droppers are on the rise, creating a point of vulnerability for public Wi-Fi users.

You can create a secure internet connection by using a mobile internet product like a mobile internet stick, hotspot or hub. These products offer a personal connection with automatic encryption to protect your information while you’re online. To learn more about how protect your device from security threats, read our Security eBook.

Invest in a data plan

Sometimes business travelers use Wi-Fi when not on their provider’s network to avoid high roaming charges. If you equip your international travelers with smartphones or tablets with roaming data passes and travel packs for roaming, concern disappears and they can stay connected and keep their data protected from prying eyes.

To learn more about Rogers’ data plans and what is right for your business read our Wireless Data vs. Wi-fi whitepaper.

A checklist for ensuring a secure internet connection on-the-go

Regardless of the devices you travel with – a laptop, netbook, smartphone, iPad, or all of the above – there are a few simple steps you can take to secure your public internet connection. Here’s a check list to consider:

  • Make sure your security software is up-to-date, before every trip, or at least every few weeks, it’s a good idea to check the “software updates” on your device to check if a new one is available. If there’s a new one, download it.
  • Use strong passwords. Use a strong combination of letters, numbers and/or special characters and change your passwords frequently.
  • Encryption is the key to keeping all of your information secure online. To determine if a website is encrypted, look for https at the beginning of the web address (the “s” is for secure). Some websites use encryption only on the sign-in page, but if any part of your session isn’t encrypted, your entire account could be vulnerable. Look for https on every page you visit, not just when you sign in.
  • Don’t be fooled by access fees – paid hotspots are often unencrypted and just use a captive web portal to prevent access if you haven’t paid yet.

If there additional topics you would like us to cover, please let us know in the comments section.

For more information on mobile internet products, travel packages or other Rogers products visit: www.rogers.com/businessroaming.

For more information on security for individual operating systems, please visit the following:

Lauren is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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An introduction to BYOD for small business

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Photo from Flo Tech Blog (http://blog.flotech.net/blog)

By now, you’ve probably heard about “Bring Your Own Device,” or BYOD, a growing trend of employees bringing their personal mobile devices to their place of work and using them to access company resources like email and file servers. While this can prove to be challenging for IT departments to manage, there are some real benefits to allowing employees to work using their “home device,” including greater levels of efficiency and less need for IT assistance.

If you think about it, using your personal stuff for work purposes (and vice-versa) is nothing new – particularly for small business.  Most fleet policies, for example, allow employees a choice between a company car (which even the government acknowledges could be used for personal purposes) and some sort of compensation for choosing to simply use their own vehicle. Taking a step back, employees have been taking work home (regardless of IT policy) for centuries, and certainly in the decades since personal computers became ubiquitous. (And really, isn’t that just Bring Your Own Office?)

Naysayers will point out, of course, that security for mobiles devices, unlike cars and homes, is evolving at an incredibly fast pace. And while you might have a car stolen or a house break-in, you are unlikely to lose either at a bar.  Additionally, with hackers and malware, there are lots of ways security/privacy can be compromised without the end-user ever knowing it. Indeed, users running cloud applications can be in violation of NDA’s without a device even being lost.

But if you ban the practice, what benefits will you miss out on? Survey respondents consistently report greater levels of confidence and efficiency when users operate their “home device.”  More than simple productivity efficiency, this comfort level also leads to reduced need for IT assistance as users are already familiar with the ins and outs of their current model. As Cisco revealed in study results from May of this year:

BYOD is just the gateway to greater business benefits. Over three-fourths (76%) of IT leaders surveyed categorized BYOD as somewhat or extremely positive for their companies.

These benefits also include savings opportunities for hardware and, according to London-based Nasstar, a positive “BYOD policy brings in the SMB talent” and fosters “better workplace morale.”

And can a BYOD ban even work? In an Avande survey of over 600 business leaders and CIOs, nine out of ten respondents indicated members of their staff were already doing it (with or without company blessing). The Cisco study showed 95% of respondents in the US already allow BYOD.  As Gina Smith writes in the 10 Myths of BYOD in the Enterprise, myth 10 is preventing BYOD in the first place:

You can’t stop it. It’s game over and already happening, Virtual Works’ CEO Ed Lacabucci told me recently, and he’s right.  A wholesale revolution is coming…

What all writers suggest, is that users need:

For a good link-survey and analysis of the current writing and reporting on BYOD, see also Peter Silva’s article BYOD – The Hottest Trend or Just the Hottest Term.

What’s your BYOD experience? Are you considering it, avoiding it or is it old news?

Brook is a new contributor to RedBoard Biz

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The case for tablets with wireless data

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The Case for Tablets with Wireless Data Tablets are proving their value in business everyday in situations where neither smartphones nor laptops can match them for convenience or impact.  In fact, more than half of all companies are now using tablets somewhere in their organization.

When purchasing tablets for your business, connectivity is an important consideration. Should you choose a 3G, 4G or LTE tablet with a data plan, or will a Wi-Fi only model meet your company’s needs? The short answer: it depends on how you will use them.

Here are three good reasons why you should consider investing in tablets with wireless data.

Harness the full value of your device with wireless data

Wi-Fi only tablets make sense in fixed locations, such as hotels, restaurants, health care facilities and campuses, where a secure Wi-Fi network has been implemented. But wireless data can make your mobile workforce more productive, better able to serve customers, and bigger contributors to the bottom line. Here are some examples:

  • Drivers can complete and submit logs using touchscreens while they’re on the road.
  • Managers can use remote monitoring solutions to keep an eye on their premises from anywhere.
  • Service technicians can download work orders without visiting the office, and update them as the work is completed.

 Wi-Fi hotspots can pose a security threat for your business

When employees use public Wi-Fi hotspots, they can introduce points of vulnerability into your organization’s overall security solution. Wi-Fi hotspots are unencrypted and can publicize your login credentials and data – strong security policies can help. But are you prepared to take the risk?

The total cost of ownership of Wireless Data can be less than Wi-Fi

While Wi-Fi only devices typically cost less than versions with wireless network connectivity and don’t require a data plan, paying for Wi-Fi even occasionally can drive up your total cost of ownership.

  • A user with Wi-Fi only tablet who is paying for Wi-Fi approximately 3 times a month for 1 year will cost more than a user with a 4G and a $21.81 per month Rogers Flex Rate plan.
  • A user with a Wi-Fi only tablet who paying for Wi-Fi 4 times a month for 1 year will cost more than a user with a 4G tablet and a $36.81 per month Rogers Flex Rate plan.

Beyond the cost of using Wi-Fi, what is the cost of not being able to send a proposal, work order or transaction while mobile between hotspots? Can your business afford the “lost opportunity cost”?

For more on cost of ownership, click here to read our whitepaper.

Geoffrey is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz 

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5 Questions with Steele Financial

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RedBoard Biz Series: 5 Questions with Barbara Steele, Steele FinancialFor the most recent installment of our “Five Questions with…” series, we spoke with Barbara Steele at Steele Financial, a company that deals with financial security and protection products such as life, disability and critical illness insurance. As a financial advisor, Barbara provides financial education and retirement counseling to families and business owners.

What’s your elevator pitch?

My job is to make people wealthier and more secure without them having to take more risk.  I honestly feel that this cannot be done without challenging the current financial status quo.  I do this by teaching people about how money really works and I put them back in control.

What business challenges keep you up at night?

Staying in touch with existing clients and finding new ones.

What role does technology play in your operations?

Technology is huge in my business, I use a cell phone, tablet, cloud computing and a hosted voice solution – it helps me stay in touch from anywhere and it allows more automation. Mobility allows me to reach more people better and faster and it helps me to broadcast my message to a wider audience

How do you stay up to date on technology and industry trends?

I stay on top of things by taking chances and trying new ideas. I also hire those people who I know can do things better than me – I have an SEO expert working on my website positioning and have just hired a woman to assist with a social media plan. I plan to hire someone to manage my website, but I will continue to write my own articles and newsletter. There are so many good companies producing stellar new ways to reach the public.  I try to find out who they are.

What one quote inspires or defines your business approach and why?

The quote on my business card is “Experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing” – Oscar Wilde. It essentially describes my feelings about where I currently am in my business – I work extremely hard for my clients, and it’s worth it. It has given me the experience that I can now use to improve other people’s lives.

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

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Mobile wallet 101: The basics of contactless payment

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These days everyone is talking about the mobile wallet and how consumers will be able to pay with their mobile devices. Some technology experts are advocating for mobile wallets, claiming they have the next breakthrough for future payments.

But why are people going to choose to tap and go with their phones rather than swipe their credit cards? And what benefits does the mobile wallet give to retailers? Here’s a primer on the mobile wallet and some of the major advantages for businesses.

How it works:

You have probably seen or used contactless payment terminals at local stores, gas stations or restaurants. This technology, known as NFC or near field communications, allows customers to tap their credit card near an NFC terminal, and in a few seconds their transaction is complete.  Many different mobile operating systems, as well as device manufactures, are adapting this technology to be able to support NFC on mobile devices with a concept called “mobile payment”.

Why does it matter?

Different banks and credit card companies have been issuing contactless cards for years, but the concept of a “mobile wallet” takes this technology one step further.  Essentially, it provides a place where a variety of different credit cards, coupled with assorted loyalty programs, can be bundled together into one easy-to-use service. In no time at all, customers will be able to quickly scan their phone for the right “card”, instead of rifling through their wallet for the right payment method. Eventually, this technology will go beyond payments, allowing stores and customers to keep ID documents, transit passes and all other traditional wallet items securely on the mobile device of their choice.

Is it secure?

The good news is using your phone as a mobile wallet is arguably safer than carrying a real wallet, with remote locking, data encryption, memory protection and passwords keeping your information safe on your device. While much of this technology hasn’t been rolled out for merchants and consumers yet,you’ll soon start to see these services more and more.

What is the benefit?

So, what are the benefits for business? There are lots.

  • Easier and more affordable ways to create loyalty programs for customers.
  • New ways to send vouchers and coupons.
  • Great potential for tracking buyer habits and customer analytics.
  • Possibility to leverage Location Based Services (LBS) in and around stores.
  • Easier refunds and charge-backs.
  • Cheaper transactions (for both consumer and merchant).
  • Very simple deployment for merchants
  • Enable businesses to go paperless

And lastly, where and when?

The notion of mobile wallet has been around for a while, but the technology is real and is already being used in many different parts of the world.  Businesses can prepare for this new wave of payments with many different strategies, but being aware that it is coming is the first step.

For more information about mobile wallet take a look at the following resources or leave us a comment and we will be sure to answer your questions.

UPDATE (May 15, 2012, 1:17 pm): Today, we announced an agreement with CIBC to launch Canada’s first mobile payment solution, allowing Canadians to pay with their CIBC credit card at the checkout counter using their Rogers “Near Field Communications” (NFC)-enabled smartphones. This means that later this year, Rogers customers will be able to use this payment capability at merchants across Canada where contactless credit card payments are accepted. For more details, check out our post on RedBoard.

Lauren is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Manage your business’s privacy with mobile app protection

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Mobile security tips from RogersAs devices become more intelligent and mobile technology is used more frequently in your business, mobile security is essential. In the past few weeks, we’ve been sharing mobile security tips that can help you whether you are a small business owner or manager of the IT department.

Recently, we wrote posts about security tips for  BlackBerry, iPhone and Android. Today we’re talking about security on mobile applications for business and how to stop them from accessing off-limit data.

Apps can be essential for day-to-day business. Before downloading them to your device, it is essential to know the full capabilities of these programs, including the amount of information they may take from you or your employee’s device.

Here’s how adding apps to your regular mobile security check can help keep your business safe:

  • It helps prevent staff from unintentionally exposing your network and devices to viruses and hackers.
  • Helps to limit the downloading of malicious, pirated or repackaged applications from unofficial websites.
  • Helps to ensure that apps on business-used devices are not accessing sensitive business data without your permission or knowledge.

What can you do today?

  1. Say ‘no’ to app permissions
    Some apps are able to access users’ locations and contacts. Make sure users know when to say ‘no’ to  apps that are requesting this kind of information access.
  2. Create a pool of approved apps
    Define app download policies and make sure users only download (and update) approved software.
  3. Use application access control software
    Not all apps are what they seem. But there are tools that can be downloaded for free or purchased to help monitor how your device is behaving and, if it sees something suspicious, can quarantine and can even remotely wipe it.

Want to learn more?

  • Watch this video from No Panic Computing to learn how to change Facebook privacy settings to stop it from accessing employee information.
  • Check out Mobile Application and MDM tips in our mobile security e-book.
  • Find out how mobile apps access personal data and explore security with this report from Lookout Security.

Are you using apps for business? What security features have you found useful?

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

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Introducing the all-new Samsung Galaxy Note

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Samsung Note from RogersPerfect for business, the Samsung Galaxy Note is an all-in-one Android smartphone with a 5.3 inch HD screen that offers the convenience of a tablet and a phone.

What are the benefits for business professionals? 

You can easily access files while travelling or on-the-go without having to worry about the security of your data. The Samsung Galaxy Note offers an easy-to-deploy, reliable VPN solution and provides ActiveSync for secure access to professional resources. ActiveSync allows you to synchronize and update your emails, contacts, calendar and notes to your device.

This brand new device is also equipped with a Webex app for meetings on-the- go and is preloaded with Polaris Office to create and edit your presentations and business documents using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Ever find yourself in a meeting without a pen? Combining the large, rich display of a tablet and the portability of a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note lets you take notes or jot down that great idea with the S Pen; the world’s most advanced pen input technology.

What about security?

Never worry about security; the Samsung Galaxy Note is equipped with new security solutions that cover all data including contacts, email and email attachments and provides security capabilities to ensure that mobile workers enjoy an up-to-date and reliable experience.

Reserve your Samsung Galaxy Note now through the Rogers Reservation System, for more information visit our website or contact your Rogers Representative.

Lauren is a regular contributor to Redboard Biz

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Are you ready for Android in your business?

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Rogers RedBoard Biz asks: Is Android ready for business? A few weeks ago we brought you some tips to boost security on your iPhone. In doing so, we acknowledged a growing trend toward “the consumerization of IT”— the use of personal devices, especially those once thought of as consumer products, in a business environment. Along with iPhones, Android devices are flooding into businesses small and large, and IT administrators are being asked to support a “bring your own device” policy.

For those in charge of IT, security and device management are critical concerns.  As Android has boosted its profile in business, it has also been closing the gap with its competitors in terms of the security and management features it offers. Some of these are native to the operating system, such as device lock, password protection and data encryption. Others must be provided through third-party apps and solutions.  The result is that businesses are letting their employees use the device of their choice without feeling that they are putting their data and systems at risk.

If you’re considering supporting Android devices in your business (or if you’ve already embraced them), there are some steps you should take to play it safe. We provide a few key suggestions here and link you to some additional resources.

1. Stop ‘just saying no’ to personal devices. Chances are someone you work with is already using one. The last thing you want is a rogue experience at your company. An informed IT department is the best way to ensure your business is secure. Seek reliable advice on how to manage personal devices at work.

2. Use Google apps to manage Android security policies. Google Apps Device Policy Administration can help you enforce security policies such as locking idle devices, setting password requirements and wiping lost or stolen devices.

3. Adopt mobile device management (MDM). These solutions enable businesses to monitor, manage and support Android and other devices, usually through a centralized console that enables remote access and updates. There are many MDM products on the market, including Juniper, MobileIron and Trellia. Do your research, and look for an integrated solution instead of many different tools.

Want to learn more?

Are you using Android for business? What security features have you implemented?

Geoffrey is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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Beyond the basics with iPhone security

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iPhone security tips for small business from RogersWhether you’re a small business owner or manage the IT department for a larger company, the security of your mobile devices and data probably keeps you up at night—at least occasionally. For this reason, we regularly try to share mobile security tips through this blog. Recently, we wrote a post about BlackBerry security tips. Today we’re talking about security on the iPhone.

Enhanced security is just one of the ways that Apple has made the iPhone 4 and 4S strong competitors as business devices. However, a lot of small business owners may not be doing anything more sophisticated than activating pass codes. That’s a missed opportunity, because Apple has beefed up its operating system with security that extends well beyond pass code locks. With support for Exchange integration, remote wipe, encryption, and VPN integration, business users and IT managers can now keep their iPhones and the data they access safe.

So are you ready to take your iPhone security to the next level? Here are some things you can start doing now: 

  1. Manage iPhone through a central console. Set up accounts, set restrictions, and configure devices quickly and remotely using a third party console for mobile device management. Click here to find out how.
  2. Set up VPN access and teach your employees how to turn it on, so you can communicate private information securely over a public network. Get help on setting up VPN here.
  3. Get a security app. Security apps can add another layer of protection for business, from biometric security apps that authenticate users with the touch of a finger, to alarms that protect your device from theft or loss.

You can find a lot more information from Apple about security features for iPhones here.

What mobile security issues keep you up at night?

Geoffrey is a regular contributor to RedBoard Biz

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