Cybercriminals poised to reap 4G windfall

Security expert warms firms must protect data as well as endpoints, or their sensitive information will fall into the wrong hands

Organisations are more at risk from cybercriminals as the era of 4G dawns, according to one security specialist.

Voltage Security claims that a drop in enterprises prohibiting BYOD, combined with a new mobile enterprise era driven by 4G, could leave firms across the UK wide open to cyber attacks.

As BYOD grows in popularity, Voltage claims, firms need to think beyond just protecting the device and focus on protecting data. Attackers are after sensitive data, which is increasingly being shared across mobile channels.

According to Voltage three types of mobile data are most at risk: email communication containing sensitive information, sensitive business data and files, and transaction data captured by mobile payments methods.

Mark Bower, vice president of product management at Voltage, said: "The predicted increase in enterprises allowing their employees to make the leap and use their own device to get on to work networks can only be expected to grow further with the arrival of these new, superfast services.

"Mobile enterprises are highly insecure territory. The problem is that the cybercriminals tend to follow the people - and the data they work with." He added: "The change to 4G is rather like a change from a tranquil country road to a 4-lane highway, bringing a whole new level of potential - and risk. Employees can - and will - use these services for work but organisations are not yet ready for the rush. If 4G really delivers what it promises it may catch up with - or even in some cases surpass - adoption of fixed-line broadband. Organisations have to act now to ensure they are prepared for the impending growth of the mobile workforce."