AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - Oct 30, 2014) - Spiceworks, the professional network for IT, today announced the results of a new report that explores how IT departments are preparing for and addressing security threats associated with mobile devices in the workplace. The study "Weathering the Mobile Storm" found that 98 percent of IT professionals are concerned with the potential security impacts mobile devices can have on the workplace. However, less than half of respondents are either using or plan to use mobile device management or antivirus/malware software to secure and protect devices within the next year. The independent study was sponsored by Samsung.
The devices keep coming
Nearly 80 percent of surveyed IT professionals support one to two mobile devices per employee. When asked to specify the types of devices employees are bringing into the workplace, 90 percent of IT professionals said employees are bringing smartphones and 77 percent said employees are bringing tablets. Additionally, 21 percent of IT professionals said employees are using wearable technologies at work, an increase of almost eight percent since May 2014.
Currently, an average of 55 percent of devices in the workplace are company-owned, 35 percent are employee-owned, and 10 percent are employee-owned but company subsidized. Many IT professionals expect that to shift over the next three years. Fifty-four percent of respondents said they expect an increase of employee-owned devices in the workplace, 47 percent expect an increase in company-owned devices, and 27 percent expect an increase in employee-owned devices that are company subsidized.
Gap exists in mobile security adoption
Despite growing security risks, budget constraints and a perceived lack of internal concern have led to a slow adoption of formal mobile security policies and technology solutions. Many IT professionals are instead choosing to limit user access to corporate data in an effort to protect company information. Of those who are using or plan to use mobile security software in the next year, 49 percent are turning to mobile device management software and 41 percent are adopting malware and antivirus software specifically designed for mobile offerings.
"IT professionals understand the risks associated with mobile security and are taking some steps to protect their workplaces," said Kathryn Pribish, Voice of IT program manager at Spiceworks. "However, we're seeing a gap in how companies are dealing with mobile security, where IT departments are either fully embracing BYOD and investing in security software and devices or they're choosing to take a lightweight approach to adoption by limiting user access to company data. Soon, companies will have to ditch this either-or approach to adoption in order to create a workplace where mobile devices and company data can peacefully coexist."
Methodology
The survey was conducted in September of 2014 and included approximately 300 respondents from the United States. Respondents represented a variety of company sizes and industries including manufacturing, healthcare, education, government, finance and IT service providers.
About Spiceworks Voice of IT
The Spiceworks Voice of IT market insights program publishes statistics, trends and opinions collected from IT professionals worldwide. More than 620,000 IT professionals in over 100 countries have joined the program to share information and feedback on the technology issues important to them.
About Spiceworks
Spiceworks is the professional network 6 million IT professionals use to connect with one another and over 3,000 technology brands. The company simplifies how IT professionals discover, buy and manage more than $600 billion in technology products and services each year. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Spiceworks is backed by Adams Street Partners, Austin Ventures, Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), Goldman Sachs, Shasta Ventures and Tenaya Capital. For more information visit http://www.spiceworks.com.
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