THE PATENT MINEFIELD BEHIND THE CLOUD
This runs a real security risk with the potential for customer data to be shared in placed it shouldn ’ t . The challenge for IT departments is going to be ensuring data sharing remains safe … and compliant .
Always ‘ on ’ technologies Much has been predicted about the growth of wearables and 2015 will be an important year for the sector . Apple has announced its intent to join the increasing number of major manufacturers producing smart watches . Samsung unveiled the Gear S earlier this year , which combines the functionality of a phone with the design of a watch . Here is a device that looks like a watch but has a SIM card , makes calls and connects to the Internet . Small , portable , easy to use – smart watches and other wearable tech encourages users to keep them on all the time no matter where they are . This does not just mean a drain on the organisation ’ s resources . What it also signals is the line between personal and business use becoming blurred , making it harder to retain control of data . We ’ ve seen it happen with smartphones and tablets and now new , previously personal objects will be helping themselves to the corporate network ’ s resources . In their excitement to use wearable gadgets , employees will need to be educated about their compliance and data security implications .
The tide of digitisation is coming . For the IT managers , network administrators and other IT professionals , preparing for the sweeping changes in how people work and play will be a challeng but not an insurmountable one . As CeBIT shows , the d ! conomy has so many advantages for us all . Putting in place a networking plan now is the best way to prepare for the future .
About the author Alessandro Porro is Vice President of International Sales at Ipswitch (‘ We make IT simple ’), He joined the company in 2004 , shortly thereafter becoming director of sales for Asia Pacific and Latin America , increasing revenues from those regions by more than 300 percent in his first three years in that role , and after which he was promoted to oversee the division ’ s entire international interests and profitability , increasing revenues 468 percent through all channels in six years .
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