Tech consumerisation cited as quarter of a million Google Android phones are hacked.
Recent reports of 260,000 Google Android smartphones being hacked are further evidence of the ‘consumerisation of IT’ and the disappearing network boundary, according to the Information Security Forum (ISF).
The ISF’s analysts have warned that such attacks will rise as the number of connected people, devices, and data transactions do likewise, and as the motives and opportunities for cybercrime increase.
The attacks, caused by malicious application downloads, raised concerns about the due diligence carried out by mobile software developers. Steve Durbin, Global VP at the ISF, warned that while developers have a ‘duty of care’ to customers, users have to exercise caution when downloading anything onto their mobile devices.
“Every time an individual downloads an app, or some software, or accesses a website using a mobile device, it introduces risks – risks that are often outside of the control of the individual and of the security professional.
“Organisations need to be more aware of the fact that personal devices, like smartphones and tablets, are becoming more affordable, more powerful and better connected and to start building a security model based on trust and which does not rely on the network for protection.
The ISF advises striking a balance between the end user and protecting the organisation and confidential data; for example establishing security policies for the use of personal mobile devices and educating users about the security risks.
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