{"id":7851,"date":"2016-04-15T10:21:58","date_gmt":"2016-04-15T10:21:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/me\/?p=7851"},"modified":"2016-04-15T10:21:58","modified_gmt":"2016-04-15T10:21:58","slug":"why-genmobiles-mobile-lifestyles-can-ruin-security-for-organisations-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/me\/2016\/04\/15\/why-genmobiles-mobile-lifestyles-can-ruin-security-for-organisations-2\/","title":{"rendered":"#GenMobile\u2019s mobile lifestyles increase security exposure"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aruba Networks\u2019 study, titled Securing #GenMobile: Is Your Business Running the Risk?<\/strong>\u00a0revealed that your next batch of employees could increase your exposure to digital threats and corporate data loss on mobile devices, states Sabahat Nasim, Channel Sales Manager, Gulf at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company.<\/p>\n

#GenMobile is the term that\u2019s used to describe a generation of people who have shaped their personal and working lives around mobile devices. Today\u2019s younger employees, the mobile-natives, are changing the way companies operate by behaving in ways that have far-reaching implications for corporate network security.<\/p>\n

This shift, however, is much more than just a case of \u2018we\u2019re always connected\u2019. It\u2019s about the availability of new (and often free) web-based tools and apps that rival the functionality and power of anything your company can provide. It\u2019s a complete behavioural and attitudinal change of direction.<\/p>\n

You might be a \u201c#GenMobile\u2019r\u201d yourself \u2014 you might have adapted, consciously or not, to dipping in and out of work comms at pretty much any time of the day and paying less and less attention to the old 9-to-5 edict. But to younger generations, this isn\u2019t something new \u2014 it\u2019s business as usual. They\u2019ve never known any other way. Crucially, that means they<\/em> won\u2019t change (hint: you<\/em> might have to).<\/p>\n

This is where Aruba Network\u2019s report helps paint a picture of #GenMobile \u2014 who they are, how they behave and how their three most striking working habits could affect your business.<\/p>\n

Super-productive, super-effective <\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the positives: the survey found that #GenMobile are very productive. They get work done and they do it well, using all the tools they can get their hands on. Their innate familiarity with tech means they are self-empowered to power through their to-do lists. Consumer tech is driving this change: 51% say that mobile technologies enable them to be more productive and engaged at work.<\/p>\n

Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration <\/strong><\/p>\n

A huge part of this uptick in productivity is a new culture of sharing and collaboration. #GenMobile are really<\/em> good at this. There\u2019s a chance your company already has some type of collaboration tool in place or in development, so you don\u2019t need to be reminded how useful sharing and working together can be.<\/p>\n

Passwords? Don\u2019t even\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yet this is where the story takes a darker turn. This self-empowered, \u2018get things done\u2019 attitude means security concerns take a backseat. A fact illustrated by rising levels of security agnosticism: security ranked a lowly fifth in workplace tech priorities for the #GenMobile workforce.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, more than half (56%) of employees will disobey their boss to get something done, and over three-quarters are happy to perform self-service IT. #GenMobile thinks nothing of going rogue when it comes to tech.<\/p>\n

Risky business<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creativity, collaboration and sharing all bring valuable advantages, but there\u2019s clear evidence it breeds risk. Six out of ten of those asked are happy to let others regularly (at least once a month) use their work smartphones, while a fifth don\u2019t have passwords on their mobile devices at all.<\/p>\n

Despite all of this, there\u2019s no question firms need to nurture creativity and be sure not to stifle #GenMobile\u2019s openness, innovation and collaboration, while at the same time minimise the risk of data and information loss.<\/p>\n

Managing <\/strong>#GenMobile<\/strong><\/p>\n

Given #GenMobile\u2019s benefits, accepting some small degree of risk is good \u2013 but only if you and your organisation can understand and plan for the security risks these behaviours bring with them.<\/p>\n

Great mobile security starts in the air<\/strong><\/p>\n

A good place to start is to put in place a secure, yet adaptable, wireless network within the workplace. Here are a few things to consider:<\/p>\n