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CCCA_V4No2_Dept-Technology-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No2_Dept-CrossBdr-V1.qxd 4/29/10 4:15 PM Page 12 Technology Feeling insecure? You should be. Here are 12 smart security tips for your smartphone. By Luigi Benetton “The Blackberry is well over device to the reasoning behind policies. 10 years old,and its roots are with “Not everybody is a security expert,” enterprise and government cus- Brown notes,adding,“It’s a mindset shift for tomers,” says Michael Brown, people to view their phones as computers.” RIM’s director, security product management.“When it was first Enable the passcode marketed, RIM was told that if Smartphones can be set to automatically the BlackBerry puts customer lock themselves after a period of inactivi- information at risk in any way, ty. To unlock them, the user needs to it would be a non-starter.” enter a code. “RIM’s security approach is holistic. All the security tools are Prevent excessive attempts ready out of the box.You don’t need bolt- at the code Q uestion:Where’s your BlackBerry? on stuff.” Thieves can be foiled by passcode-protect- Although Dan Pinnington thinks ed smartphones set to erase all data after a More than 106,000 mobile phones went BlackBerry’s security features are basically certain number of failed passcode attempts. missing in 2009, according to the FBI’s sound, he says there’s more you can do to National Crime Information Centre. protect data on smartphones.“Out of the Encrypt the device If yours was one of them, you probably box, other smartphones aren’t as secure,” Devices are also useless to data thieves if scrambled to find it as quickly as possible says the director, practicePRO for the they can’t read the information on them. because it’s a nuisance to replace a mobile Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity That’s why many phones can encrypt all phone. But did you ever consider what Company (LAWPRO),“but you can take the data they hold. Specific applications you stood to lose? steps to make them secure.” may also encrypt their data. Tech-savvy lawyers who use the Having to “bolt-on” security hasn’t dis- devices for billing, practice management, couraged many enterprises from trying Control access to applications knowledge management and dictation, as other smartphones, like Apple’s iPhone, RIM’s Brown notes that the BlackBerry’s well as contacts, e-mail, and calendars can Google Android and Windows Mobile. Application Control lets administrators or suddenly find themselves missing some RIM’s competitors covet RIM’s market, users control what specific applications valuable information. And instead of so expect them to substantially pick up can do on the device. This feature helps being worried about replacement costs, their security game. defend the device against malware and they’re suddenly worried about data third-party applications which could cause breaches — and potential breaches of Talk to your IT department… data breaches. confidentiality and lawsuits. Many businesses have security policies in That’s why it’s so important to get place governing every type of electronic Use VPN smart about smartphone security. communication employees may use. Like computers, today’s smartphones let people access corporate applications, so it’s Choose a secure smartphone … and ask for further education only natural that virtual private networks Many lawyers use Research in Motion A simple lunch-and-learn led by the firm’s (VPN) should also make the jump to (RIM) Limited’s BlackBerry. From a mobile device experts can set the record smartphones.VPNs enhance the security of ISTOCKPHOTO security perspective, that’s a great choice. straight on everything from the choice of a connection between a server and a device 12 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association SUMMER 2010