The
global market for Mobile Security is projected to reach $14.4 billion by 2017,
primarily driven by rapid proliferation of feature phones and intelligent
mobile computing devices, according to Global Industry Analysts.

Increasing
use of mobile devices for accessing data services and corporate networks and
the emergence of open network concept, which opens up potential risk avenues
from security and privacy perspective will boost market prospects over the next
few years. Robust demand from Asia-Pacific market also augurs well for the
future of this market.

The
rapid proliferation of mobile phones, over the last couple of decades, has
brought to the surface hidden dangers in the form of security breaches and
related issues.

Security
issues have taken on extreme importance in recent years, which is not
surprising given the mobile phone’s transition from a humble voice
communication device to a multi-faceted, multitasking, multimedia device
capable of functioning as a tool for personal expression, enterprise computing
and entertainment, among others.

Today,
a mobile phone is used for video conferencing, storing data/documents/files,
sending and receiving electronic mail, delivering presentations, accessing the
Internet, remotely retrieving data, among others.

Although
the productivity benefits offered to consumers and organizations, as is in the
case of enterprise mobility, is undeniable, the cutting edge developments also
open up new apertures for risks.

This
changing character of a mobile phone in the 21st century pushes into the
spotlight numerous mobile phone security issues such as, data breaches,
unauthorized access to and loss of personal information stored within the mobile
phone, cell phone viruses, malware, and malicious downloadable software that
corrupts the phone’s operating software, all of which present the need for
mobile security.

The
evolution of smart mobile computing devices such as notebook PCs, personal
digital assistants, smartphones, and tablet PCs into common tools for business
and personal activity also presents tremendous opportunity for global mobile
security market.

Smartphones
especially, which has the ability to support workforce mobility, is a much demanded
business tool. Also, given the extensive use of mobile Internet on these
devices, smartphones, just like computers, are exposed to dangers of devious
software/applications that are easily transported over the World Wide Web.

With
smartphone users increasingly accessing/downloading third-party applications,
the threat of malicious virus making its way into the handset and accessing key
information stored within these devices becomes more prominent, which presents
a perfect business case for mobile security.

Mobile
networks are currently at their tipping point with exploding data traffic, a
direct fallout of the exponential rise in the number of Internet connected
mobile devices.

The
scenario is thus leading to the collapse of mobile network operators (MNOs)
traditional walled garden approach, where customers are accorded access only to
default services selected by service providers.

Mobile
networks are now migrating towards the concept of open garden” wherein
customers are given unhindered access to all available services and content. In
other words, seamless integration of content and wide coverage is a crucial
requirement for success for network operators.

And
as cellular network giants throw open their networks to enable interoperability
between proprietary network domains, the open networks concept opens up
potential risk avenues from a security and privacy perspective. As proprietary
network perimeters dissolve, security issues will rise to be of paramount
importance to mobile network operators.

Attacks
on mobile networks and mobile devices distributed across the network will
primarily be driven by open networks and open devices. Mobile network providers
will therefore come under increased pressure to invest in mobile security
appliances and software to protect both their networks as well as network
users.

As
stated by the new market research report on Mobile Security, Asia-Pacific
represents the largest regional market. Growth in Asia-Pacific is primarily
driven by robust demand for mobile computing devices in emerging countries such
as China and India.

By
product, Mobile Network Security Appliances & Software represents the
largest segment. Mobile Security Client Software is the fastest growing market,
waxing at a CAGR of more than 53 percent over the analysis period.

By
Telecomlead.com Team
[email protected]