Page 25 - FCW, September 15, 2016

Mobility SponSored content Game ChanGinG TeChnoloGy To meeT aGenCy missions
Mobile Devices Drive productivity
In addressing the ongoing balance of access and security, mobile devices have found their place.
federal agencies face a delicate balance when it comes to managing their network of mobile devices. They must provide field workers and anyone using a mobile device with sufficient access in order to do their jobs and
meet mission requirements. They must also ensure the devices are sufficiently secure—which is a significant challenge considering the potentially sensitive nature of data agency workers may be accessing and the constantly evolving threat landscape.
devices improves collaboration 62 percent believe using mobile devices improves helps improve customer service
SeCuRITy fRoM THe GRouND up
Mobile security will always be an
issue, but security technologies have kept pace with the evolving landscape
of cyberthreats. The Samsung Knox architecture is designed to provide security at all levels. Security functions are built into the hardware and the device software.
58 percent feel their agency could make better use of mobile devices
Balancing the need for security while maintaining productivity is a challenge, but the tools are there to help ease the process. “There are technologies that harden the device and provide the necessary certifications all the way from the hardware to the application layer— the part of device the user sees—while keeping simplicity of device use,” says Johnny Overcast, director of government sales for Samsung Electronics America. “We provide defense grade security while at the same time maintaining usability.”
While deploying mobile devices
for use in federal agency scenarios is always a balancing act, the current level of security provided by commercial solutions like Samsung provides
secure access, while continuing to enable productivity improvements. “It doesn’t sacrifice usability, whether its tactical military or law enforcement or mobilizing enterprise apps,” he says. “The workforce can use these devices to increase productivity and efficiency.”
The security functions of the Samsung Knox architecture are built around five principles:
“Government agencies are taking advantage of these technologies,” says Overcast. “They can have confidence in the level of security, but also execute their mission more efficiently with line of business solutions.”
“Samsung Knox secures all the way from the hardware or from when device turns on—the boot process—all the way up through the application layer,” says Overcast. Boot Time Inspection ensures the integrity of all booting components is tested every time someone activates the device. Run Time Protection prevents malicious users from making any code changes to the kernel and ensures the integrity of data stored on the device.
The impact of not equipping the workforce with mobile devices can almost outweigh the potential security risks, depending on the use cases. Studies corroborate that equipping a workforce with mobile devices increases productivity and worker satisfaction. A recent study conduct by the Mobile Work Exchange surveyed 300 government employees from a number of different federal agencies. The survey found 95 percent of the respondents believe using mobile devices has improved their work performance. Some of the notable survey findings include:
Studies have even shown that not providing access to mobile devices can have a negative effect on worker productivity. According to a recent Gallup survey, each disengaged or disconnected employee costs an organization about $3,400 for every $10,000 in annual salary.
Software integrity Least privilege
Data storage protection Network protection Data isolation
76 percent indicate using mobile devices has increased their productivity
61 percent believe using mobile devices improves communication 47 percent believe using mobile
the globe and found organizations ranked as mobile “pioneers” saw a
16 percent boost in productivity. That statistic has concrete impact. In a 40- hour work week, a 16 percent increase in productivity translates to 6.4 hours per week. That’s 41 working days or effectively eight weeks of increased productivity from every employee.
Another study by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) revealed a demonstrable connection between a mobile enabled workforce and increased employee engagement. The EIU surveyed 1,865 workers from across
In fact, Samsung Knox was given the most “Strong” ratings of any mobile security platform in the April 2016 Gartner research report, “Mobile Device Security: A Comparison of Platforms.” Also Samsung’s federal customer base includes the DoD, intelligence agencies, and all levels of law enforcement, from federal to state and local. So in the balancing act of continuing to enable the federal workforce with mobile devices, the security posture is solid and the productivity enhancements are proven.
For more information, please visit:
samsung.com/government
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