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A Cisco-sponsored survey from Mobile Work Exchange found that 41 percent of government
employees are engaging in risky mobile behavior, including accessing unsecure Wi-Fi networks,
refraining from using device encryption and not configuring a device passcode.

If agencies choose to ignore the need for a secure platform to facilitate file sharing, workplace
collaboration and mobile email access, employees will continue to seek out free and often
unsafe alternatives to achieve their work goals.

Fortunately, government agencies have solutions for bringing secure mobility to their
employees. There are three major ways agencies can safely begin to adopt mobile devices in
the workplace:

1. Simplify the bureaucratic process of adopting new technologies. Many solutions in
the mobility industry already provide the functionality that government standards require,
including stringent device encryption, certificates for authentication and secure
application containers for email. By simplifying the approval and technical processes,
new technologies can be incorporated faster, boosting national defense effectiveness
and putting agencies at the forefront of innovation.

2. Deploy mobile devices in extensive pilots for testing in real-world scenarios.
Instead of waiting for the perfect solution in theory, agencies should begin testing mobile
devices in practice. With devices on the ground, agencies can gather real-world
statistics, track actual use cases and fine-tune employees’ capabilities while mobile. This
will enable agencies to make informed decisions about what mobility can actually do for
them. For example, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) adopted
mobility to assist with disaster relief efforts. With iPads and a custom application,
USACE replaced pen and paper with mobile kiosks for resident information collection,
reducing a 2-3 day waiting period to mere minutes.

3. Provide transformative mobile technologies to some of the most valuable
employees in the public sector. Embracing mobile devices, including smartphones,
tablets and laptops, in government will improve communication, strategy and operational
choices for workers in the field. As threats from all corners of the world put countries at
risk, it’s imperative to stay one step ahead with technology. Getting mobile devices in the
hands of service members and administrative staff will keep them informed in the line of
duty. For instance, the UK-based defense company Chemring uses iPads to secure
electronic board documents, ensuring board members have updated information when
making strategic decisions.

With the current government approach toward mobility, agencies cannot effectively adopt
mobile devices.

Government organizations should make a conscious effort to revisit mobility, carefully evaluate
the current standards and begin implementing small but efficient mobile device pilots.

63 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – December 2014 Edition
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