Lost mobile devices a troubling trend for companies

Businesses in every sector have been incorporating smart devices into daily operations. The latest applications and the increased strength in wireless networking have made smartphones and tablets key tools for accomplishing tasks. This has also increased the security challenges that businesses face, most noticeably when those devices are lost or stolen.

A recent article from CIO makes the case that the concern level over misplaced smartphones and tablets is well below where it should be.

"Like spoiled teenagers, American workers are telling their CIO that lost or stolen phones are simply not their fault, not their problem," the article reads. "Corporate data theft is no big deal. It's just a phone, they say. Besides, aren't you responsible for mobile data security?"

This statement is brought on because of the results of a new survey by Absolute Software. Interviewing 750 U.S. working in industries such as banking, retail and health care, it was found that 25 percent of respondents said losing a device is not their problem.

To make matters worse, there was little reprimanding for these employees. According to the numbers, 34 percent were not punished, 30 percent had to replace the device and 21 percent were only spoken to. Because of this, 33 percent of respondents reported to not changing their security habits.

An iPad deployment and the use of other mobile devices have become standard practice into today's corporate world. With the help of an IT consulting firm that specializes in incorporating smartphones and tablets, any company can start setting up a strong mobile device management plan.