Smartphone use continues to rise along with data security concerns

Monday, October 31, 2011

A recent study of more than 3,000 mobile device consumers by a communications company points to an increase in data consumption and security fears.

Of those surveyed, 69 percent of mobile phone users indicated they use a smartphone and nearly half said they have increased their data usage in the past year. Also, 55 percent of participants said they have downloaded a free mobile application while 25 percent have paid for one, according to the study.

Nearly 60 percent said they currently own a tablet or plan to purchase one in the next year.

"While consumers are becoming more comfortable with location-based services and online banking, they have security concerns," said the study. "Sixty-eight percent of respondents do not believe, or are unsure, whether information stored or transmitted from their mobile device is secure."

Security issues regarding mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are not just consumer-based.

According to a study conducted by Thomson Reuters, 85 percent of IT officials surveyed noted unencrypted communications is their biggest concern, while 75 percent indicated that information stored on mobile devices, including tablets, smartphones and laptops, is a security fear.