The U.S. Department of Homeland Security presented a report to Congress last week that highlighted the mobile security threats that many federal government workers face.
The “Study on Mobile Device Security,” focused on threats aimed at smartphones and tablets running mobile operating systems. Federal workers are prime targets for cyber criminals “simply because they are government employees” and can be viewed as channels into gaining access to data-rich systems that contain sensitive government information, according to the report.
The study also highlights how federal workers are at risk of the same mobile threats that consumers face, such as ransomware and banking fraud.
Recommendations covered in the report include the adoption of standards and best practices, programmatic improvements, increased Departmental authorities, and “areas in need of additional research.”
