Who Knows What

Who Knows What

ok, so you are the CEO of a significant company and as a business driver and professional employee perk you give everyone a cell phone.  they can use the phones for business and occasionally for personal needs

so what does that "use" mean?  it means that apps will be downloaded from Apple, Google and others and used most every day on the phone.

so what does the downloading and use of apps mean for the business -- this is a complicated question. some terms of use legal agreements for apps run from 3000 to 35,000 words;  you know in your heart that no one reads them -- what does that mean for your company?

• by using LinkedIn you are granting them access to any information you have ever listed on the site -- do you know what you professionals are placing on LinkedIn
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• many apps always know where you are through geo location -- even in secret business meetings or with potential merger candidates
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• Instagram gains the right to sell names, images, and photographs to advertisers -- photos and images can even be sold as stock images for advertisers -- any business photos of new products or prospective advertising here
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• anybody who uses Google docs to upload a spreadsheet or other document grants ownership of the document to Google -- possibly your business documents
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• Android operating systems provide Google with your mobile phone number, network information, device storage data, call logs, and contact lists
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• some apps can also listen in on your phone calls for ambient information and background noise which can be sold or used for advertising
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• with some apps you grant permission for the parent to take pictures and videos with your camera, to read your text messages, and to upload every photo image on the phone

your private business information and even the locations of your employee meetings are leaking out each and every day.  this information is for sale to anyone who has the money and the interest.

think a coherent information security session and plan isn't important -- think again.  it is now a core component of your business strategy.