Smartphone and Mobile Security - How Smart Is Your Smartphone?

The smartphone continues to revolutionize the business world as new and innovative phones flood the market and slick apps make it easier to do business around the clock, from anywhere. From a profitability and productivity standpoint, the business enhancing affects are unquestionable. But with this rapid progression in smartphone technology come new security challenges that not only CIOs and IT staff need to think about, but also small business owners and managers. Smartphones can be open portals to sensitive personal information and your corporate network to which they link, making it absolutely crucial to understand the security risks and how to maintain the integrity of your data. Peter DiCostanzo, a preeminent mobile phone and iPhone consultant, adds that "Like laptops, smartphones are an extension of your corporation's network not only containing sensitive or confidential data, but through VPN capabilities it can allow direct connectivity to the heart of your company's business. It is imperative for the network administrator to view smartphones the same as employee laptops, and to apply the same (if not greater) precautions and access levels restricting access to the corporate network."
A couple of stats to consider... 36% of business network attacks originate from end-user devices, and according to the 2010 Data Breach study, 28% of attacks occur through the various social networks that employees enjoy on their smartphones. Monitoring these types of activities and deploying a use policy will go a long way in securing sensitive company data that travels between the company network and employee smartphones. With over 250,000 apps available, and with the rate at which they enter the market, it's understandable that not all apps are vetted before they're available for download. This is a huge source of vulnerability and an increasingly inviting platform for malicious criminal activity that can have devastating effects on your business. Highlighting the importance of a strong use policy, DiCostanzo explains, "Policy should define and restrict which smartphones may be used on a corporate network. If the phone does not support features such as password protection, or remote-wipe (ability to remotely erase the phone if lost) for example, it should not be allowed to access company data."
In closing, if you already have one or plan to deploy a business smartphone to your workforce, give some serious thought to the following:
* Education. Make your employees aware of how their smartphone interacts with your network.
* Create and strictly enforce a use policy, and ensure that security apps are included in said policy.
* Understand that not all smartphones operate on the same platform. Phone software packages have holes and no carrier is immune to malware and viruses. Learn about the various vulnerabilities and safeguards of the smartphone options you're considering.
* Require employees to sync their phones regularly, keeping sensitive data off of their phones.
* Maintain a corporate firewall and regularly monitor all server activity.
* Limit employee permissions to only what they need to get their job done.
* Have authentication protocols in place for accessing corporate networks.
* Keep malware definitions up to date and running on all security software.

GCInfotech is a Stamford, CT based premium IT services company with expertise in Network Support, VoIP Business Telephony and Application Development. We have been helping small to medium sized businesses "work smarter" since 1996.

Steps To Get Free Macbook Air

This article talks about a simple three step process to get a Free Macbook Air. You can learn a few things about incentive marketing too.
Macbook Air is a wonderful piece of engineering created by Apple; and all who know about the Mac Air and its many wonderful features, wish to own one. The stylish designs and advanced technology that Apple offers is almost unparalleled. Many people have hoped either to win a free Macbook Air or receive one as a gift. So, if you didn't know this already, you can actually get a free Macbook Air; and this article will tell you exactly how to go about getting it.
First, you need to find some freebie websites on the Internet. These are websites that offer free products online. Yes, products. You can get a whole variety of other gadgets for free on these websites. Following is a simple three step process that you need to follow after you have identified the freebie website that is offering a free Macbook Air.
Step 1: Sign up with the freebie site. You needn't worry about giving your personal information here, as these websites are absolutely legitimate.
Step 2: After you have signed up with the website, you need to complete a certain number of offers on the website. Now, these are free offers that other websites like eMusic and Netfix Movies encourage Internet users to sign up for. You will get a list of these offers once you sign up. Now, don't be discouraged. You are still going to get a free Macbook Air; but you do need to put in a little more effort for this.
Step 3: The final step is to tell as many people as you can, about the offer. The more people you tell, the better are your chances of getting a free Macbook Air.
The process is simple and this is how it actually works. Companies like Apple approach other companies like eMusic and Netfix Movies to promote and advertise Apple products on their websites. To do this, eMusic and Netfix Movies are offered large amounts of money. When people sign up for free trials on these websites, both they and Apple make enough money when they offer free Macbook Air laptops to people. This process is called Incentive Marketing.
Now, you may think that the fewer people who know about such offers the better your chances are, of winning free goodies. This doesn't work on the freebie websites, as referrals are what increase the odds of you getting free gadgets online. So, don't just stop with your family and friends. Try and get the attention of more people. Use social networking sites to spread word about offers on freebie websites. Put up convincing videos on sites like YouTube.

Such offers may sound incredulous; but there are many people who tried these and have actually won free macbook air laptops along with other goodies. The steps are easy to follow; but you need to put in a little time, effort and patience.