Tag: tablet security

Mobile security continues to be a problematic issue for federal government

Mobile security is quickly becoming a major issue for the U.S. government, especially due to the number of agencies that have a heavy reliance on mobile technology. The federal Chief Information Officers Council, an interagency forum that aims to modernize the federal government, highlights mobile security as an issue that should be receiving more serious attention. The Council notes that several agencies are, indeed, moving ahead with mobile security initiatives, but concerted effort is needed to ensure that the sensitive information that is trafficked through mobile devices on a daily basis does not fall victim to exploitation.

Agency highlights the problems of mobile technology and security efforts

The Chief Information Officers Council highlights technical limitations of mobile devices and their associated services as a major problem for mobile security. The Council suggests that federal agencies must adopt more high-tech mobile devices that can more adequately protect their personal information and that of the government they work for. Moreover, very few security-centric mobile applications are approved for use by federal employees. Standards are currently being developed to help expand the availability of such applications, which the Chief Information Officers Council suggests will be a good way to ensure the security of information.

Gap exists between technology and practice

The lack of encryption modules also presents a serious mobile security risk. It is difficult for software developers to create this kind of software for smart phones and other high-tech mobile devices because of the rapid pace at which these devices are becoming more advanced. Changes to operating systems and smart phone technology have created a significant gap that separates the capabilities of modern mobile security solutions and mobile devices.

Cost remains a problematic hurdle

Cost is one of the reasons why federal agencies have avoided mobile security initiatives in the past. Most federal employees have smart phones and other such devices. In order for some agencies to bolster their mobile security endeavors, they would have to replace all of these mobile devices, which accounts for a massive investment of taxpayer money.

VaultSecure aims to transform mobile commerce

INSIDE Secure, a  mobile security firm, has launched a new platform called VaultSecure that will help consumers manage multiple mobile wallet applications on their smart phone or tablet. The company believes that the VaultSecure platform will help transform the mobile commerce industry. INSIDE Secure suggests that this will be the first time that smart phone makers, network operators, and others in the telecommunications industry will be able to share a secure element on a single mobile device.

Days of clashing mobile commerce applications may be history

Before VaultSecure, smart phones were only capable of supporting a single mobile commerce application without trouble. Multiple applications on a single device would often cause problems due to the clashing security features they have in place. In some cases, multiple mobile commerce applications could actually make financial information more vulnerable, thus leading many mobile network operators to favor a particular platform over others. This has led to severe fragmentation within the mobile commerce market.

Platform allows various applications to coexist on a single device

This fragmentation can be seen all over the world. In the U.S., Google, Isis, and the newly formed Merchant Customer Exchange, are all vying for the affection of consumers and businesses interested in mobile commerce. Through SecureVault, the applications coming from these groups can coexist on a single mobile device, each able to access a consumer’s financial information independently. The platform will also encrypt this information for each of the mobile commerce applications, adding an extra layer of protection against malicious attacks.

Competition may prove to fierce for VaultSecure to find traction

INSIDE Secure will be selling VaultSecure to makers of smart phones and tablets. These companies will then have to work with the various companies involved in mobile commerce to incorporate the platform. Given the highly competitive nature of the burgeoning mobile commerce industry, it may be difficult to convince companies that having their platform exist alongside that of their competitors as a sound business move.