Mobile security a top priority for SEA businesses

Employee device security and customer experience are top priorities in Southeast Asia for both businesses and IT leaders, a new study indicates.

The commissioned study on workforce transformation, conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Dell, investigated the key challenges and drivers that businesses are facing in the adoption of workforce enablement technology.

According to the survey, 81% of respondents are concerned about the legal liability issues arising from Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, while 44% said that organization-wide breaches originate from employee devices.

The complexity of the IT environment due to diverse devices, coupled with growing sophistication of security threats, outdated security policies and easy information access have made endpoint devices increasingly vulnerable.

Employees want to work from multiple locations and use several different devices, including their personal devices, at work. Thus, they are demanding faster refresh cycles, enhanced user experience and corporate support for all their devices.

However, organizations face challenges managing their overall PC lifecycle with 53% of respondents citing complexity from vendor management as an inhibitor for effective management. Meanwhile, the growing sophistication of threats has made old workforce technology vulnerable. 53% of respondents cited that the frequency of security PC breaches is a top concern for firms.

“The workforce of today is a highly interconnected one with new technologies empowering people to perform at their best. IT and business leaders are embarking on a workforce transformation strategy as they need to equip their workforce with the right devices and software to optimize productivity,” Dell GM of client solutions for South Asia and Korea Rakesh Mandal said.

“Employee experience is a critical factor in boosting financial revenue and enhancing customer revenue – a continuing priority for Southeast Asia companies as they move into the new age digital economy.”