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Two Thirds of Companies Uncertain of Mobile Data Security

Posted on: Tuesday, 24 November 2009, 03:00 CST

AMSTERDAM, November 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- A Recent Survey at Mobile Enterprise '09 Shows Majority of Companies Uncertain about Legal Protection

A recent survey of more than 100 delegates at Mobile Enterprise 09 hosted by Sybase, Inc. (NYSE: SY), an industry leader in delivering enterprise and mobile software, showed that more than two thirds of European organisations surveyed are not fully aware what sensitive data is stored within employees' mobile devices. Furthermore, 38% of those questioned are not aware of what applications are on employees' mobile devices, let alone what sensitive data is within the applications.

Worryingly, only 15% are completely confident that they would be legally protected should an employee's mobile device be lost or stolen and company data were to fall into the wrong hands.

The survey conducted at Mobile Enterprise '09 reveals the need for enterprises to implement strategies to secure and manage sensitive data, and also protect against the legal responsibilities associated with data breaches.

"These figures show there is a continued lack of central management of mobile devices within enterprises," said Dr. Martin Karlowitsch, Director, Field Marketing EMEA, Sybase. "To ensure the enterprise is protected from any mobile threat, intentional or unintentional, organisations need to ensure that mobility policies are as stringent as their wider IT security and management initiatives. Mobility must fit into the wider picture."

"As part of the evolution in enterprise data infrastructure, enterprise mobility will take on an increasingly central role in Europe," said Lars Vestergaard, Research Director, IDC. "To underestimate the strategic role of mobility, or to view it as an isolated solution in the wider ICT infrastructure risks limiting its potential of delivering decision critical information."

The survey also revealed that two thirds of organisations questioned do not have the capabilities to centrally manage all mobile devices and operating systems. Karlowitsch continued: "The technology exists for organisations to manage all mobile devices, secure company information and ensure compliance. Organisations failing to invest in these capabilities are irresponsible and putting themselves at risk, as well as missing out on the financial benefits of effective mobilisation."

Such industry issues were discussed at Mobile Enterprise 09, which was attended by over 180 enterprise mobility professionals across Europe. Spokespeople from IDC, SAP, Verizon, Orange, Siemens Enterprise Communications (SEN) and Sybase discussed the current mobility landscape in the enterprise and focused on enterprise mobility technologies, including: mobile device management; security; mobilising business processes, messaging and applications; and mobile databases.

Amongst other issues and technologies, Sybase discussed its Afaria(R) software, which provides frontline management and security for mobile devices such as laptops and tablet PCs, handhelds and smartphones (including the iPhone). The Afaria(R) product is a core component of Sybase's enterprise mobility offering, a platform that addresses converging enterprise requirements for mobile email, security, device management and application enablement. For more information, please visit:

http://www.sybase.com/products/mobileenterprise/afaria.

Notes to editors

Sybase surveyed 104 enterprise mobility professionals during November 2009.

About Sybase

Celebrating 25 years of innovation, Sybase is an industry leader in delivering enterprise and mobile software to manage, analyse and mobilise information. We are recognised globally as a performance leader, proven in the most data-intensive industries and across all major systems, networks and devices. Our information management, analytics and enterprise mobility solutions have powered the world's most mission-critical systems in financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing and government. For more information, visit http://www.sybase.com. Read Sybase blogs: http://blogs.sybase.com.

Sybase(R), iAnywhere(R), iAnywhere Solutions(TM), Information Anywhere(R) and Afaria(R) are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Sybase, Inc. or its subsidiaries. (R) indicates registration in the United States of America. All other company and product names mentioned may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

Special Note: References to Sybase iAnywhere mean iAnywhere Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc.

Special Note: Statements concerning Sybase's product Afaria are, by nature, forward looking statements that involve a number of uncertainties and risks, and cannot be guaranteed. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "will," and similar expressions relating to Sybase and its management may identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are intended to reflect Sybase's current views with respect to future events, and may ultimately prove to be incorrect or false. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Sybase's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2009 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 2009."

For more information: Danielle Cook/Lauren Wood +44(0)1628-628080 Sybase@noiseworks.com

SOURCE Sybase, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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