Companies begin to set policies for mobile devices

Now comes a survey positing that many companies have begun to establish specific policies to deal with security and liability risks stemming from the rising use of mobile devices and social networks in workplace settings. The study, conducted by messaging security firm Proofpoint and Osterman Research, polled 632 IT professionals and found that 84 percent of organizations allow their employees to use consumer devices and services, including iPads, iPhones, Facebook and Twitter to conduct business communications. Some 73% of respondents said they are using a combination of policy and trust to keep a handle on mobile devices and social networks; 51 percent use policy, technology and trust; and only 11 percent rely on "employee good judgment" alone.