Several lessons can be learned from the Department of Defense by all regarding mobile security reports Jason Bloomberg for CIO.
What? Yes, several years ago, reports Mr. Bloomberg, the Department of Defense took on a project of creating secure mobile communications for intelligence and defense purposes. Unfortunately that project, Secure Mobile Environment Portable Electronic Device, did not prove flexible and viable for the ever changing mobile technology market. We can learn from their mistakes when we think about our own organizations mobile security plan:
- Focus on software, not hardware. Keeping the strategy software focused allows you to future-proof against changing hardware technologies and also satisfy the end user better.
- Encourage interoperability. Interoperability should be encouraged across mobile apps as well as among mobile, cloud and traditional on-premise apps.
- Consider all end users. A mobile security strategy can have different levels of need. It is important to group like end users with similar needs instead of a one-size fits all approach.
- Think globally, act locally. Make training and human management a central element of your strategy.
- Don’t treat everyone the same. Different users and jobs require a different level of security. Don’t waste resources by giving everyone “top secret” level security.
