Mobile data shortfalls increase compliance risk

Almost nine out of ten businesses (88 per cent) do not track all information that is kept on mobile devices, a new survey released today has revealed.

This lack of process for tracking corporate data on employee mobile devices could have major implications in terms of information management compliance and data protection regulations, according to survey sponsor, Mformation.

Nearly one in five (78 per cent) of the 200 UK, European and US chief information officers questioned for the survey by independent researcher, Coleman Parkes said they are concerned about data security.

Six per cent of companies actually admitted that mobile loss or misuse has led to sensitive company data being leaked, while this proportion rose to ten per cent of UK businesses.

Nearly as many who do not track all mobile data recognise that the cost of complying with regulations will increase with the proliferation of mobile devices and their capacity to store more critical data (84 per cent). But as a result, 55 per cent are concerned that this will become a significant issue over the next five years.

According to 68 per cent of companies, one of the major issues is not just the security of the data stored on the device, but the security of device access into corporate networks. And more than half of companies questioned fear that data leaks will increase over the next five years.

Matt Bancroft, Mformation vice president said: "We expected there to be some companies who were still unaware of exactly what data their employees carry on their mobile devices, but to have nine out of ten businesses say they don't know what is on company devices is incredible.

"Loss of these devices doesn't just mean lost data, it can potentially be seriously damaging to a company's reputation, and can result in regulations being breached," he added.