By Dr.Mitul Mehta

[ Article done for Electronic Business Europe - JUNE 2001 http://www.eb-mag.com ]

Security, security, mobile security

The e-commerce market has suffered due, in part, to a poor perception of security amongst the consumer, and this problem will be reflected in the m-commerce market unless mobile operators invest in mobile security and become more open about the security issues they face and educate users as to these problems. Many challenges need to be overcome, to not only ensure the success of the mobile security market, but also to ensure the long-term viability of markets that depend on the successful deployment of end-to-end mobile security solutions. Markets that could be impacted by the unsuccessful deployment of end-to-end mobile security solutions include:

- M-Commerce and GPRS

- Handheld, smartphone and notebook PC device markets

- Enterprise mobility

- Remote access markets

- Wireless device markets

However, this does not mean that huge amounts of money needs to be spent on mobile security, investment could be misdirected and spent on closed, proprietary solutions. Enterprises and service providers have a great deal of issues to resolve when deploying mobile security solutions, such as management and support. In addition, there are challenges that exacerbate issues further that also need to be resolved, including standardisation, developing security solutions for the 3G and 4G environment, banks and mobile operators working together as trusted parties and understanding the new internal and external threats that mobile devices enable.

Mobile operators need to resolve the issues listed above. If they are unable to address them then the success of the eclectic m-commerce market is under threat. In the early part of the m-commerce market, growth will be driven by enterprises. Enterprises will demand end-to-end security and should mobile operators be unable to deliver such support, then this important end-user segment will look to other solutions to enable their employees to roam and provide mobility.

Enterprises may look to leverage 802.11 solutions, local wireless LANs, Bluetooth, where base stations will be deployed to 'hot spots' like airports, hotels, rail stations and other public areas where mobile professionals congregate. Enterprises could look to work with fixed service providers to deliver remote access to their company’s network and thereby circumventing the need for a 3G connection. Many mobile professionals do not need to be completely mobile, or at least have 'always-on' Internet access. They are unlikely to need complete mobility, as it will not always be appropriate to work on the road. A majority of professionals only have time to work outside of the office when they are standing still at the hotel or airport, for many enterprises utilising WiFi will meet their requirements.

Mobile operators will need to ensure end-to-end security is delivered to enterprise customers, mobile security almost becomes an enabler for m-commerce without it 3G looks like a fat pipe. Mobile operators and other service providers need to talk more openly about security. Both enterprises and consumers need to understand the risks they face when using mobile data networks, and the service providers delivering the connection need to demonstrate that they are able to manage the risk whilst not completing eradicating it.

It is impossible to deliver a 100% secure network, just as it is impossible to build a 100% secure safe. End-users are used to thinking in physical terms and sometimes it is difficult to relate to electronics, Megabytes and data. End-users need to show that security is something that can be managed and reduced, not something that can be eradicated. We are likely to face increasing security threats, as activism and cyber-terrorism becomes a part of our lives as people look to create financial damage and inconvenience rather than death and destruction. The world of communications and the way we live will come under increasing attack and the companies that deliver services and equipment need to plan for these new threats.

Dr Mitul Mehta is managing director of business transformation and strategic direction consultancy firm TekPlus Limited. He can be reached at mitul@tekplus.com

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