Enterprises Get Mixed Grades On Mobile Security

Many large enterprises are unclear about how best to secure their mobile devices, according to a study released Monday by market research firm IDC.

Specifically, the study found that many enterprises are confused about so-called end-point security (EPS), which the study defines as centrally-managed client security measures, the firm said in a statement. The result is that many enterprises aren't adequately securing their mobile devices, leaving the organization open to security threats, the study concluded.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the number of wireless devices, particularly e-mail devices, is growing at what the study termed an "astounding" rate.

"The complexity of the EPS problem has profound and far reaching effects throughout an organization," Allan Carey, manager of IDC's Security and Business Continuity Services program, said in a statement. "Enterprise senior management, as well as IT and business unit leaders, must see the big picture to address concerns about security, mobile device use and employee productivity, remote access, and centralized access control."

About 64 percent of IT professionals who responded to an IDC survey said they used end-point security. Of those, about 88 percent said they considered their EPS systems somewhat or very effective. However, the research firm said that the respondents did not agree about what constituted end-point security.