Locking Down Mobile Data Security

Here’s how to keep sensitive mobile device data in the right hands

With advances in mobile computing and devices, productivity boosters like netbooks, laptops and smart phones could actually be putting your customers' companies at risk. With the data storage capabilities these devices have, they may be chock-full of sensitive information that, in the wrong hands, could lead to anything from disclosure of trade secrets to identity theft, says computer security consultant Alex Zaltsman, CEO of Experior Data Security & Encryption, a New York City-based computer data security firm.

'Data on everything from device hard drives to portable USB drives can easily be read if they are stolen or lost. Anybody with basic computer skills can take those hard drives or USB drives and essentially copy the data,' says Zaltsman.

Employing gold-standard 128-bit encryption is a good starting point. However, your customers may not be as aware of the basics of data security as your team is. You might recommend that they reinforce good employee policies by creating a checklist or backgrounder that includes suggestions like changing passwords at least every 90 days and making them complex, including numbers, letters, and symbols in random order. 'To technology workers, these things are second nature, but you'd be surprised how many people just don't realize that simple steps like this can make a difference in keeping data safe,' says Zaltsman.

Time-out functions are also important security mechanisms. Zaltsman says that programming smart phones like BlackBerrys and iPhones to time out every 15 minutes, requiring re-entry of a password to access service, can offer protection if the phone is lost or stolen. Laptops should have a similar feature where the device times out after a short period of nonuse and requires a password or passphrase to log on. He also recommends disabling automatic log-ons and clearing computer caches and cookies on a regular basis.

If you're looking for high-tech solutions like fingerprint scanners and other biometrics, you'll have to keep waiting, says Zaltsman. 'It's just too complicated and they're not there yet,' he says. 'But by following some of these basic guidelines, you can drastically increase your device security.'

If your clients are interested in learning more about encryption, refer them to 'Encryption For tips on choosing a password, have them check out 'How to Choose a Good Computer Password.' For more on keeping their mobile phones safe, you might recommend 'Smartphone Security Measures.'