Security

With mobility and the increase of connection coverage, security has become an increased issue.

Says Dell SA client product manager, Gavin Slevin: 'Network security is of particular concern in the mobile environment, particularly today when most mobile devices include wireless LAN connectivity as standard. An unsecured Wi-Fi signal is a major security risk, so make sure that your WLAN implementation allows for the configuration of the SSID signal, MAC address filtering, the support of a VPN, and network authentication based on the 802.1x encryption standard to ensure the unwanted users are kept off the network and the data on the mobile system safeguarded from prying eyes.'

According to Dousson, mobile security solutions already exist that allow users to implement a wireless network, out of the box, with confidence and without the need to hire a security specialist.

Jonathan Hatchuel, business group manager: Windows client at Microsoft SA, also notes that the company has built in a number of mobile security features, such as Bluetooth authorization and end-to-end virtual private network (VPN) encryption to ensure that remote workers can operate safely, irrespective of their physical location, whilst using Windows Mobile 5.0 devices.