Apps Tech News

Sophos has announced the release of their Sophos Mobile Control 2.5 mobile device management (MDM) software, which will aim to further encourage BYOD.

The software incorporates several facets, including the ability to wipe a corporate device after an employee leaves a company or breaks the security regulations, being operable from a web-based administrative console.

For more minor violations, IT administrators can still send alert messages if a mobile device is non-compliant.

This was inferred in a whitepaper from Sophos back in June, where under step four of the seven steps outlined to a BYOD security plan the sentence “wiping devices when retired” can be found.

Among the other ideas to safeguard BYOD devices included remote device management, policy compliance and audits, as well as data and device encryption.

“Implemented properly, a BYOD program can reduce cost while increasing productivity and revenue”, the report noted.

The 2.5 version also has optimised workflows, meaning lots of tasks can be performed with one click; the whole package allows for increased control with BYOD-applicable devices.

“We have made considerable advancements in MDM over the past few months,” said Matthias Pankert, Sophos vice president of product management.

He added: “We now count more than 1500 Mobile Control customers using the solution to control and secure half a million devices; companies are saying yes to BYOD without risking security and compliance.”

Recent studies had shown BYOD to have a mixed impact around the world.

While around 60% of US companies still retain control of mobile device liability according to research from Dimension Data, only 20% of European companies run fully governed BYOD programs, from an IDC report.

“This rapid momentum is evidence that it is no longer enough for businesses to just control their devices,” added Pankert. “They must now make sure that all devices are protected and secured and meet the corporation’s security standards.”

But will this security software give enterprises more faith in BYOD?