Infosec Pro

With the ever increasing popularity, sophistication and internet-ready nature of many mobile phones, comes an increased risk from data loss, identity theft and general costly misuse.  Over 5000 mobile phones are allegedly stolen each day in the UK, not to count the many attempts at 'hacking', 'cracking' and remote attacking.

A mobile phone is no longer just that.  It's a web browser.  It's a camera.  It's a calendar and personal organiser.  It's a data store.  In combination with the several thousand apps available for the various platform types, it's also a utility capable of once cumbersome and time consuming tasks, games and activities.  Hence the newly termed 'smart' phone.  This object in your back pocket is basically a tiny laptop.


Most smart phones will generally have some basic security measures built in, such as a console lock which is pin protected.  Is this used?  Is it ever changed?  A recent survey by Vodafone suggested that 50%…

As part of my job I am fortunate (at times) to be able to travel to different locations including new countries and cities.  This is mainly within Europe but sometimes the Middle-East and North America.  Most parts of the travel itinerary are booked automatically through my employer using a web based travel portal.  This generally contains basic personal information such as name, date of birth and next of kin often required not only for air line bookings but also border security.

Last week I was fortunate to be back in Spain, Madrid to be precise.  A lovely city, great food and friendly people to work alongside.  My one concern was the handling of my personal information during the trip.  Since 2004, in the aftermath of the Madrid bombings, EU states now require Advanced Passenger Information data to be collected prior to an individual traveling to and from EU states like Spain.  This is non-negotiable as far as I am aware and no information is publicly available as to how this inform…