BAE Systems, a leading security firm based in the United Kingdom, has announced its partnership with telecommunications giant Vodafone this week. The two companies have entered into a five-year deal through which they will address cyber security issues on various platforms, include mobile devices. Much of the focus of the new partnership will be placed on mobile security, with both companies developing a wide range of communications security products for the mobile space.
Security becoming a top priority as more consumers go mobile
Mobile security continues to be a significant issue throughout the world. More people are purchasing and making use of devices like smart phones and tablets. These consumers are relying heavily on these mobile devices in their daily lives, sharing a vast amount of information through these devices with others. As such, these devices have become popular targets of hackers who are interested in exploiting consumers information for some gain. The issue of mobile security is becoming more important as more consumers begin to participate in mobile commerce.
Evolving state of digital world makes it difficult to establish a lead over hackers
BAE has been looking to expand its cyber security division for some time. Cyber security has, however, proven to be a very difficult sector to find success in due to the constantly evolving landscape of the digital world. New security measures are introduced on a nearly daily basis and hackers routinely find ways around these measures very quickly, making it very difficult for companies to introduce comprehensive security products that address the concerns of consumers. BAE believes that Vodafone can help with this problem as the company has extensive experience in the realm of mobile security and technology.
Cloud-based security system to be introduced this year
Per the agreement, Vodafone and BAE will introduce a new, cloud-based mobile security system to Vodafone’s 1,500 largest corporate clients. This cloud-based system is expected to help protect these corporations from threats such as data breach and fraud. Future security solutions will be introduced for consumers as the two companies further develop their mobile security products.
Mobile security is a potential catastrophic problem, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection. The federal government has been pushing for more comprehensive mobile security measures to be put in place throughout the country. Mobile applications and the information they collect from consumers has, thus far, been the primary focus of the government’s mobile security concerns, with the FTC aiming to hold applications developers and companies responsible for the information that they collect.
FTC targeting companies collecting consumer information
The issue of mobile security has become more pronounced since the FTC filed a case against Compete, a search marketing firm. Compete uses technology to collect personal data from consumers using its services, without providing these consumers with information about how this data will be used. In the case, the FTC has prohibited the company from collecting consumer information without the express consent of the consumer. The FTC also closed several cases against companies concerning the use of software that was being used to deliberately spy on consumers.
Google runs afoul of federal government
Google was also targeted by the FTC in late 2012 for circumventing the protocols of Apple’s Safari Internet browser to introduce users to targeted advertisements. The massive technology company was fined a record setting penalty of $22.5 million for breaching mobile security standards. FTC officials are likening the current state of the country’s mobile security practices to the “wild, wild west,” suggesting that many companies operating in the mobile space have little to no concern for mobile security.
Mobile security recommendations coming from the FTC
The FTC is currently developing recommendations concerning mobile security standards titled “Building Trust Through Transparency.” These recommendations are meant to help ensure the protection of consumer information, keeping this data safe from exploitation by marketers and similar groups. The initial recommendations will focus on companies collecting information from mobile consumers. In the future, the FTC will focus more closely on application developers, hoping to further bolster mobile security for consumers.
