Embedded security technology company KoolSpan has released the results of its 2007 Mobile Trust Survey on secure voice communications and found that all is not so secure.
The survey, gauging the views of U.S. IT professionals, found a growing concern for the exposure of confidential communications on untrusted mobile networks that is driving the demand for secure cellular voice solutions. The survey found an alarming 44% of respondents reported being aware of compromises to voice communication on mobile/cellular networks, with 57% reporting an interest in a secure voice option the next time they purchase a mobile phone.
The survey also found that 66% of all respondents said employees within their organization use smartphones or PDAs. These and other mobile devices were traditionally supported by closed and proprietary mobile networks that have recently shown to be more vulnerable to malicious attacks. According to KoolSpan's Chief Scientist Emil Sturniolo, the ubiquity of mobile phones and smartphones, coupled with the rise in fraud, privacy concerns, corporate espionage and terrorism, has triggered a heightened awareness and demand for secure voice communications.
Among the IT professionals surveyed, more than 70% said mobile phones are used to discuss business topics considered confidential, while 53% reported being aware of employees traveling on business in areas where the cellular networks are considered "untrusted." On the protection side, the survey found only 8% of all respondents have already deployed a secure voice solution, while among interested IT professionals who have not yet deployed a solution, 72% would consider a secure voice solution if it were easy to manage and cost-effective.