Posts Tagged ‘iPad’
Thursday, May 23rd, 2013
Today’s users expect PC-like functionality from their mobile devices, including the ability to print documents. According to an October 2011 report from research firm IDC, mobile printing is the fastest growing segment in the document solutions industry and is expected to grow from 68.3 million in 2010 to 1 billion in 2015.
As the use of mobile devices in the work place increases, many employees want to simply click “print” from their tablet or smartphone and print to their normal workplace printer. Unfortunately, this option is not available on most devices.
In many companies, IT has misjudged the need for mobile printing and is now realizing that employees need to print from these devices just as they would from a laptop or desktop. IT also needs to maintain strong authentication and role-based security features, to ensure that mobile printing doesn’t create new opportunities for data breaches to occur.
The benefits of deploying a mobile printing solution that offers robust enterprise security features and maximizes the mobile productivity of your workforce are worth exploring. Organizations that enable mobile printing can accelerate field and back office processes, save time, and most importantly improve mobile productivity.
Accellion’s mobile printing solution features embedded printing technology from Ricoh. View a use case for mobile printing here.
Tags: Android, BYOD, Cloud, document management, Enterprise Mobile, Enterprise Printing, HotSpot, iOS, iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, Mobile, mobile device, Mobile Printing, mobile productivity, Online Backup, Ricoh, Secure Collaboration, Secure File Sharing
Posted in Accellion, BYOD, Mobile, Product | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013
Ever wonder what type of toothbrush your dentist uses at home? Or how often your trusted mechanic gets the oil changed on his/her own car? Wouldn’t it be nice to know what products and practices the experts actually rely on behind the scenes? Well, thanks to a recent article in The Guardian, we gained a glimpse into how the mobile productivity editor of TIME Magazine – Harry McCracken – stays productive while out and about on the reporting scene.
Here’s some of what we learned:
• Harry’s tablet of choice? An iPad.
• A good keyboard is key: A keyboard can transform an iPad from a media consumption device into a legitimate productivity tool. Sure, some people do just fine with on-screen typing, but for Harry, he wanted a physical keyboard to be able to see more of his writing at one time. He’s tried out a lot of models and has found his favorites are from two companies – Zagg and Logitech.
• Desktop be gone: McCracken has traded in his desktop for a laptop at the office, although you’ll usually see him on an iPad, even when at his desk. He said that he traveled with his laptop for a while as a security blanket but then realized that the iPad could support his mobile computing needs just fine.
• Skeptics are everywhere: Despite being on the cutting-edge of mobile technology, Harry’s reliance on tablets has been met with raised eyebrows. “People get very defensive when someone is taking a different approach to computing then they do. My feeling is, there is no wrong way to use computers. If you’re happy and productive, all ways are equally good.”
Are you using a tablet for your day-to-day job? If so, check out the latest news on our Secure Mobile Productivity Suite, which allows employees to easily create, edit, and share files on a mobile device without exposing sensitive business information. It’s mobile productivity at its best.
Tags: BYOD, Cloud, cloud file sharing, cloud file storage, document management, dropbox alternative, iPad, iPhone, managed file transfer, Mobile, mobile backup, mobile device, mobile file sharing, mobile security, Online Backup, online sharing, Secure Collaboration, Secure File Sharing, secure file transfer, security, send large files, storage, storage backup
Posted in Accellion, BYOD, Mobile | No Comments »
Thursday, April 11th, 2013
Whether you are an organization with 50 employees or 50,000, finding a way to manage and secure employees’ mobile devices and access rights to corporate data is imperative. BYOD policies aren’t just for the big guys. If employees are bringing smartphones, tablets, or other devices into the office, then the chances are good that those same employees have plans to use (or are already using) those devices to access and send work-related files. It’s up to the organization to dictate when and how that happens.
We’re seeing a positive uptick among SMBs addressing the mobile device movement, with new research by iGR showing that 62 percent of IT managers at SMBs have an official BYOD policy in place. Yet, the same research found that 73 percent unofficially permit workers to use personal devices for work purposes.
It’s great news that so many smaller organizations have put a stake in the ground with a written BYOD policy. Hats off to you! It’s the 73 percent that are allowing employees to use devices without any official parameters that has us concerned.
Acknowledging that mobile access is a work must-have is an important first step. But, that needs to be followed with IT controls to ensure that files are being accessed only by authorized users, all mobile content is being shared securely, and that users are only turning to file sharing applications that have been thoroughly vetted by the organization.
So whether your organization has less than 50 or more than 50,000 employees, consider secure mobile file sharing an essential element of your mobile strategy, and make BYOD an official order of business.
Tags: BYOD, Cloud, cloud file sharing, cloud file storage, document management, dropbox alternative, iPad, iPhone, managed file transfer, Mobile, mobile backup, mobile device, mobile file sharing, mobile security, Online Backup, online sharing, Secure Collaboration, Secure File Sharing, secure file transfer, security, send large files, storage, storage backup
Posted in Accellion, BYOD, Mobile | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013
A topic that concerns every law firm CIO and IT manager today is whether to permit legal professionals to bring their own computing devices to work, for work. In other words, to support BYOD or not to support BYOD: that is the question. Or, at least it’s the question of the moment– with law firms, like so many organizations, considering how to support employees’ preferences to use personal mobile devices for work purposes, while keeping corporate documents properly managed and secure.
Should you support unlimited device types? How can you track which documents are shared outside of company walls? How does BYOD fit into your existing compliance strategy? It’s these questions that are currently the talk of the legal world. Check out some recent headlines:
Accellion Chief Marketing Officer, Paula Skokowski, will lead a panel on “Protecting Legal Documents in the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Post PC Era” with Chris Zegers, CIO of Lowenstein Sandler, Chad Ergun, Director of Global Services & Business Intelligence at Gibson & Dunn and Avi Solomon, Director of IT at Becker and Poliakoff P.A. at the Law Firm Chief Information and Technology Officers Forum. The panel will take place on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET in conjunction with the LegalTech New York 2013 conference.
Accellion will also be exhibiting at the LegalTech New York 2013 conference at booth #1403.
We hope to see you there.
Tags: BYOD, Cloud, cloud file sharing, cloud file storage, document management, dropbox alternative, email storage, ftp replacement, hybrid cloud storage, iPad, iPhone, IT research, Legal Tech, LTNY, managed file transfer, Mobile, mobile backup, mobile device, mobile file sharing, mobile security, Online Backup, online sharing, Secure Collaboration, Secure File Sharing, secure file transfer, security, send large files, storage, storage backup, VPN
Posted in Accellion, Data Security | No Comments »
Thursday, January 24th, 2013
According to analyst firm, Enterprise Strategy Group, the enterprise cloud based file sharing revolution is being driven not by IT, but by end users – individuals who need to access and share data across laptops, smart phones and tablets whenever the need may arise. And, it’s these individuals who often subscribe to consumer-based file sharing solutions on their own and then bring those tools into the enterprise to support business use – creating a data security nightmare for IT.
This situation has IT playing catch up, yet many organizations are hesitant to embrace cloud services. Why? ESG found that 43 percent of organizations are worried about data security and privacy concerns and 32 percent about giving up too much control. Ironically, without a proper file sharing solution in place, users are calling the shots, creating the same security risks and a lack of control that’s been holding them back from the cloud in the first place.
In a new white paper, Evaluating Cloud File Sharing and Collaboration Solutions, ESG advised organizations to find a single, secure file sharing and collaboration solution that they can confidently endorse and provides a checklist of what to ask during the due diligence process, including:
- •Can we sync data across end point devices when offline?
- • Can users easily search for files across synched directory trees?
- • Can we support files of any size?
- • Can we set group policies from a central dashboard?
- • Is there Active Directory integration?
- • Is it easy to de-provision accounts?
- • Is data encrypted in transit and at rest?
- • Are there remote wiping capabilities?
- • Is the data center SAS 70 Type II certified?
- • Is data replicated remotely in the event of site failure?
To help you make a smart investment that’s right for your company, download the complete recommended checklist today.
P.S. Accellion answers “yes” to all of the questions above.
Tags: BYOD, Cloud, cloud file sharing, cloud file storage, document management, dropbox alternative, email storage, Enterprise Strategy Group, ESG, ftp replacement, FTPX, hybrid cloud storage, iPad, iPhone, IT research, managed file transfer, Mobile, mobile backup, mobile device, mobile file sharing, mobile security, Online Backup, online sharing, Secure Collaboration, Secure File Sharing, secure file transfer, security, send large files, storage, storage backup, VPN
Posted in Accellion, BYOD, Cloud, Collaboration, Data Security, Mobile | No Comments »
Thursday, June 7th, 2012
For law firms, being able to communicate with clients anywhere, anytime is a top priority – and a key ingredient to retaining existing accounts. No one understands that better than Allens Linklaters (Allens) – a firm that was on a mission to find a more secure and reliable way for its 800 attorneys to collaborate and exchange critical files with clients.
Allens’ standard methods of sending files via CD or FTP posed serious limitations – opening up the firm to security risks and providing limited visibility into whether files were received, opened, or reviewed. Plus, with so many of its employees and clients using Androids and iPads for daily work interactions, the firm wanted to allow users to access documents from any location – and any device.
The firm considered moving to a consumer-grade solution such as Dropbox, but wanted a more secure, reliable product that could truly support the mobility of its clientbase. After testing eight solutions, Allens found that Accellion Secure Collaboration was the only vendor that offered extensive functionality, mobile support, top-notch security, and could be hosted on-site.
“Where our data is transported and ultimately resides is very important to us and our clients. Now our attorneys can collaborate on upcoming cases, maintain up-to-date visibility into how their documents are being accessed, and rest assured that confidential information stays out of the wrong hands,” said Shawn Schmidt, Infrastructure Manager with Allens.
Allens’ IT department is also putting Accellion to the test, using the solution to upload support logs and troubleshooting data, providing a one-stop shop for IT help desk information. Plus, with Accellion Mobile Apps, clients, partners, and attorneys now have immediate, unlimited access to the information they need – whether at the airport, en route to a meeting, or unwinding at home.
“Being able to safely browse, edit, share, and send corporate and auditable information from anywhere is a big priority for our clients and we’ve made it happen with Accellion,” said Schmidt.
Click here to read the full case study.
Tags: Accellion, Allens Arthur Robinson, Collaboration, Data Security, iPad, iPhone, Mobile Apps
Posted in Accellion | No Comments »
Thursday, May 31st, 2012
When it comes to allowing employees to use their own personal devices at work, everyone is doing it, or so it seems. A recent Cisco-sponsored survey of 600 IT and business leaders found that 95 percent of respondents allow employee-owned devices on the corporate network, citing increased productivity and employee job satisfaction as the primary drivers.
While employees may be grinning a bit more as a result of being able to use their iPhones for both work and play, IT administrators aren’t exactly smiling. The survey went on to disclose that 69 percent of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) users were accessing unapproved applications on these devices, a reality that is causing organizations to carefully weigh BYOD risks versus rewards.
One company that’s taking new BYOD precautions is IBM, banning the use of Dropbox, iCloud, and Siri on employees’ iPhones. IBM’s CIO, Jeanette Horan, told MIT Technology Review that the trend toward employee-owned devices has created new challenges for her IT department because “employees’ devices are full of software that IBM doesn’t control.” It’s that lack of “control” that’s causing many organizations to question the security of public cloud services – and rightly so.
When IBM, with an IT powerhouse of 5,000 staff members, takes a stand against select cloud services, people take notice. We’ll look for other organizations to follow suit, taking a close look at what cloud providers are actually doing with their confidential data and establishing BYOD policies that maintain close control of what services are actually being used by employees and when.
So, kudos to you, Jeanette Horan, for leading the way with new BYOD security practices. You are the Accellion CIO hero of the week.
Tags: Accellion, BYOD, Cisco, Dropbox, IBM, iCloud, iPad, iPhone, Jeanette Horan, Siri
Posted in Accellion | 1 Comment »
Friday, December 9th, 2011
Over the past year, we’ve seen the iPad become more prevalent in the corporate world – and why not? Its portability is ideal for employees on the go and users are able to blend work and personal use on a single device. Yet, it’s these two benefits that have introduced new security concerns for IT, with the iPad often treated more like a grown up iPhone than a corporate computer.
Of course, the laid back attitude towards iPad security is understandable. Tablet adoption has been predominantly driven by consumer usage, with public Wi-Fi and cloud computing making it simple to upload and download files and applications at will – whether Angry Birds, grocery coupons or the latest corporate PowerPoint. But, the freedom of anytime, anywhere access, combined with the increased volume of corporate data being shared via iPads, has blurred the lines between corporate access and casual entertainment.
Yet, the harsh reality is that malicious apps and malware are the number one security threat to tablet computers, followed by public Wi-Fi eavesdropping. Phishing attacks are phishing attacks, whether your users are on a PC or an iPad, and enterprises need to implement the same strong security measures regardless of the device.
So, what’s an IT group to do?
Individuals should be able to send, share, and access files and applications, while you ensure they’re protected from malicious content. Accellion Secure Mobile Apps is one viable option – providing around-the-clock secure access to files to a range of mobile devices, plus encrypting documents for future, offline use. Plus, if the device is ever lost or stolen, administrators can easily block access remotely and reset credentials.
Let’s face it: your employees were likely attracted to the iPad because it makes their life easier – and maybe a little more fun. So, the key is to boost security while enabling employees to work and interact exactly as they do today. The discussion on tablet security is far from over, so look for more insight on our blog.
Tags: Cloud Computing, iPad, iPhone, Mobile, Mobile Apps, Phishing, security
Posted in Accellion, Data Security, Product | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Today, malicious apps and malware continue to be the number one security threat in tablets, followed by public Wi-Fi eavesdropping. Tablets can easily be infected by clicking on a malicious link or by entering company credentials into a phishing page mimicking itself as a challenge page.
While we’ve seen examples of the mobile platform companies proactively addressing malware attacks – the iPad 2 Smart Cover security hole fixed by Apple’s iOS 5.0.1 release and Android’s 58 malicious applications, which were downloaded onto 260,000 devices before Google remotely wiped the devices clean – it’s simply not enough. Not to mention, these remedies aren’t always applicable to tablet devices, with only a small percentage maintaining an always-on 3G connection, making it nearly impossible to implement a real-time security fix.
Two ways that mobile platform companies have typically remedied security holes exposed by malware: OS security re-architecture or stricter entry programs into app stores. However, the stricter the app adoption rules and implementation restrictions (so as to not allow a bad app into an app store), the less number of apps enter the market in a given time. While Apple has the luxury of highly scrutinizing the apps it approves, Android–coming from behind—has looser controls in an effort to balance innovation with security.
The recent Smart Cover security hole uncovered in iPad 2 and fixed by Apple’s iOS 5.0.1 release is the OS remedy; and Android’s 58 malicious applications, which were downloaded onto around 260,000 devices before Google eventually admitted it and wiped them from devices remotely, is an app store remedy.
Both of these remedies are not acceptable solutions for enterprises. Enterprise IT heads cannot wait for a new OS release or a re-evaluation by the app store when a malicious attack is siphoning confidential data from thousands of devices. The situation gets even more critical when malicious apps get on tablet devices. Unlike smartphones, most tablets are still tethered devices. Only a small percentage of them have always-on 3G connection through which a remedy can be applied immediately.
Accellion Secure Mobile Apps give enterprise tablet users the ability to securely share, edit, send and receive files in their workspace without the fear of a malicious app or link compromising their content and identity.
Accellion Secure Mobile Apps work in conjunction with Accellion Secure Collaboration to keep everything in an encrypted, secure, private container, even if a tablet user decides to download a file onto its local drive.
Should malware infect an Accellion Secure Mobile Apps user device, nothing is lost. Or, if it tries to access the tablet’s local drive, it will see nothing but a bunch of encrypted files. Users could be on an iOS, Android or BlackBerry device, and it will behave the same.
And then there is the internal threat, when people get distracted and leave behind their device by accident. If there is sensitive corporate data on the tablet and the device ends up in the wrong hands, it could easily lead to a reportable data breach. With Accellion, IT has control and management over the application, so if a device is lost or stolen, Accellion administrators can easily block access remotely and reset credentials.
Look for the discussion about tablet security to continue on this blog, but in the meantime, the more you use your tablet like a laptop, the more you should consider taking security measures.
Tags: Cloud Computing, Enterprise, iPad, iPhone, Mobile, Mobile Apps, Phishing, security
Posted in Accellion | No Comments »
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
Walk around any organization today and you will see people using the newest and coolest PCs, smartphones, and tablets. It’s not just the normal suspects that love the IT gadgets. It’s everyone from the CEO to the summer intern. Even my mom got an iPad and is getting in on the action. It’s so easy to download emails and send photos to relatives. She takes it with her everywhere—even work. Everyone loves these devices at home and work because they’re easy to use. I suspect employees will be taking their devices on upcoming holiday vacations.
The problem that IT managers have is identifying the line between personal and business computer use. We know it has been blurring for years, but today it’s practically gone. The availability and variety of powerful mobile devices, along with the simplicity of adding apps, and cloud services has increased the distortion between personal and business use more than we ever imagined.
A new study sponsored by Unisys found that 40.7% of the devices used by workers to access business applications are ones they own themselves, including home PCs, smartphones, and tablets such as the iPad. Nearly 10% reported using their personal tablet for work—a device that did not even exist just 15 months ago.
With this in mind, most IT managers and CIOs are well aware that we’ve turned a page and there is no going back. The real question is, how can organizations cope in a world where the line between a personal and business computer is “cloudy” at best? The answer is identifying security issues and managing enterprise data.
Accellion provides the kind of enterprise solutions that offer the control and flexibility that IT needs, while keeping users happy with easy-to-use file sharing and collaboration applications that can be accessed anytime, from anywhere. And if you have employees like my Mom, who bring their iPad to work, you’ll be glad you invested in securing your sensitive enterprise data.
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Content for this post is excerpted directly from the IDC iView 2011 Consumerization of IT Study: Closing the ―Consumerization Gap, July 2011, sponsored by Unisys. The multimedia content can be viewed at http://www.unisys.com/iview.
Tags: CIO, Consumerzation, enterprise solutions, gadgets, iPad, iPhone, iPod, IT Managers, PC's, smart phones, study, tablets, Unisys, vacations
Posted in Accellion | No Comments »
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