The popularity of smartphones and other mobile devices has been a mixed blessing for the enterprise. On the one hand, the ability to easily surf the Web, retrieve e-mail and conduct business using a mobile device has given workers unprecedented flexibility to perform their jobs or at least certain tasks outside the confines of the office.
But security is also an issue. When lost or stolen, sensitive and valuable company information on these devices could be compromised. As Enterprise Mobile Today reports, Google has released a new set of security features designed to help Google Apps administrators better mange and enforce mobile policies on the iPhone, Nokia Series E and Windows Mobile devices.
Google today further enhanced mobile device security options for iPhone, Nokia Series E and Windows Mobile devices, building on a release earlier this year. Ironically, the new security options won
’
t be available for devices based on Google
’
s own Android operating system until later this year.
The new device management options for Google Apps administrators let them enforce such policies as requiring devices to use data encryption and auto-wiping a device after a specified number of failed password attempts. Admins would also have the option to disable the phone’s camera and disable data synchronization when the device is roaming to reduce wireless overage charges.