by Shane Henson — January 29, 2014—According to recent findings from global growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, the smartphones facilities managers often use to store information and manage their facilities operations could actually make their buildings less secure.
As the firm notes, the mobile security challenge is dynamic and multi-faceted. The proliferation of mobile devices is providing cyber criminals with additional launch points for targeted attacks, spurring demand for mobile endpoint protection solutions globally. Hackers are able to gain access or control of mobile devices via malicious software (malware), while mobile applications (apps) on the device can perform unwanted, high-risk actions. This jeopardizes the safety of sensitive data stored on the device, as it can be lost or stolen, Frost & Sullivan warns.
With hackers becoming more effective in targeting and exploiting emerging technologies such as smartphones, cloud computing, and virtualization, enterprises are investing in mobile endpoint security software to protect and manage mobile devices, says Frost & Sullivan. The mobile security challenge requires a layered, defense-in-depth strategy that protects data at rest and in motion, provides protection for the actual device, and includes network-based controls for mobile traffic (including application traffic).
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan’s Analysis of the Global Mobile Endpoint Protection Market reveals that the market for endpoint security software earned revenue of $433.5 million in 2012, and is estimated to reach $1.0 billion in 2017. The research notes endpoint security specialists McAfee and Symantec lead the market. However, several competitors, including entrepreneurial start-ups, are making progress in this critically strategic market.
“Smartphones may fail to meet organizational security and compliance policy requirements as they are extremely susceptible to mobile malware breaches and unwanted or high-risk mobile applications,” said Frost & Sullivan Network Security Senior Industry Analyst Chris Rodriguez. “The need to counter these new attack vectors presents a tremendous opportunity for developers of endpoint security software.”
