3-Way Mobile Security… What is Original1?

3-Way Mobile Security… What is Original1?

Today, SAP, Nokia and Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) today have announced plans to form a new company, named "Original1," to deliver unique product authentication and anti-counterfeiting services across the globe. Though this venture has been grabbing some headlines, what does it really mean for mobile security?

According to the press release on the matter, “Original1's services will rely on SAP technology and solutions, while Nokia will deliver mobile authentication software to allow businesses to follow a branded product's entire life cycle, from a factory to the end customer, using mobile devices. G&D's contribution to Original1 will consist of security solutions for the entire value chain.” While the 3-way joint venture is pending regulatory approvals, the company expects to be operational before the end of the year. While this venture may/may not directly offer services to individual subscribers at the handset level, the intentions of this venture reflect the indirect opportunity to improve the user environment for wireless users.

At first glance this venture seems to be aimed primarily at introducing new solutions to improve brand protection services, but perhaps as the company moves forward we’ll all see subtle improvements in aspects of mobile commerce and mobile authentication. The battle for security in wireless has been going on for many years now and it’s finally beginning to get the respect it deserves. Considering that services such as mobile banking are increasingly being adopted, the reality is that mobile hacking tools are becoming more readily available too. Today there are multiple websites with dedicated mobile hacker software, which is a niche software market set for rapid expansion.

As the old quote attributed to Willie Sutton goes, “I rob banks because that's where the money is.” The reality is that money is digital and digital money is quickly making its way into the mobile environment. With an abundance of mobile hacker tools coming available, it already takes far less technology sophistication to hack into cell phones than it did just two years ago. Security is a veil for most people but remains a digital puzzle for those behind the hack. To see a company like Nokia involved in this 3-way joint venture speaks volumes to the opportunity for security-driven technologies to debut on future Nokia platforms.

Eric Everson – The MobileTech

Ref:
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091027-704578.html

Mobile Security Talk: Google’s Android a Smart Move for Dell Smartphone!

Mobile Security Talk: Google’s Android a Smart Move for Dell Smartphone!
Author: Eric Everson, Founder MyMobiSafe.com

I am known for my tough love on MOPS (Mobile Operating System) developers when it comes to the security of their platforms, but in all honesty Google’s Android Team is proving to be among the best in the business for addressing the vulnerabilities that we uncover.
In a bold move last week, Dell announced regarding their future mobile phone development that they will depart from their historically turbulent relationship with Microsoft and have opted to develop their smartphone platform with Google’s Android MOPS. While this does not directly suggest anything about the security of the Windows Mobile MOPS, it does further solidify the fact that Google is successfully positioning Android as a major force to be reckoned with.

Just yesterday, Google debuted their latest security patch for Android which resolved some inherently pressing SMS vulnerabilities. Prior to the patch, certain malicious SMS messages were capable of disconnecting an Android mobile phone from its mobile network. Additionally this patch resolved the threat to within Android's Dalvik API from a malicious DoS (Denial of Service) threat which specifically targeted Android users. This particular mobile malware would trigger the vulnerable API function and could restart the system process. While annoying for users, this particular mobile malware platform had not evolved to the point where personal data was put at risk on the handset.

With this latest patch in place, Google continues to prove that when issues are identified they take charge to resolve the issue before users are affected at large. This instant response to mobile threats certainly sets the stage for Dell loyal customers to expand their technology suite via the “Dell Phone” as mobile security issues are of less concern. Naturally as the Android MOPS continues to grow in popularity it will continue to be a target of mobile hackers, but as they successfully prove time after time, the Google software engineers put mobile security issues at the forefront of their priorities.

As a leading voice in mobile security, it would be hard not to recognize the world-class support that Google has put behind Android. This is a value added opportunity that Dell can certainly build on as they enter the wireless industry next year. I am looking forward to the arrival of the Dell Phone as I see a significant opportunity for a company like Dell to integrate computing technologies within the wireless environment. Android offers an incredible platform which embraces third-party development (i.e. ensures an abundance of quality apps) and also offers security support like nobody else in the business. Should Microsoft have concern for Google displacing them in the future? One thing is certain as mobile technologies are the future of computing, this is an area where Microsoft has certainly struggled.

Eric Everson is a leading mobile security expert and has emerged as an authority on mobile security strategy and innovative wireless technologies. To contact Eric for interviews, consulting, research, or otherwise email him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com

Dell goes Android…Another Mobile Setback for Microsoft?

Dell goes Android…Another Mobile Setback for Microsoft?
Author: Eric Everson

The king of the computer-based Operating System market has struggled to acquire the same level of success and scalability within the wireless industry. For years Windows Mobile has taken a back seat to other Mobile Operating Systems (MOPS) and most recently the introduction of Google’s Android marks a serious threat to Microsoft’s future in this segment.

Windows Mobile admittedly is not a bad environment, but at the edge of innovation, Android likewise ups the ante. One of the key attractions to Andriod from a developer’s perspective is that accessibility and control granted via the Android SDK. While some content can be developed in Microsoft’s free Windows Mobile SDK, there is much more creative control via the Android SDK.

For mobile users greater SDK flexibility translates to a greater variety of available third party content, something that the iPhone has brought to a whole new level. As Dell is tapping deeper into the mobile industry they’ve recently announced that they’ll be bringing an Android-based handset to market next year. While many loyal Dell users are anxiously anticipating the arrival of the Dell phone to complement their technology suite, this news creates a serious ripple in the mobile waters for Microsoft. The issues between Dell and Microsoft have seemed escalated since the disastrous debut of Vista, so it’s not a huge surprise that Dell is looking for a new avenue to embrace their mobile debut.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Microsoft needs to seriously start pulling in some fresh blood or this is sure to be another nail in its wireless coffin.

Your innovative tech insider!
Eric Everson – The MobileTech

Eric Everson is a leading mobile technologies researcher and is the founder of MyMobiSafe.com. If you would like to contact Eric Everson for interview or with research related inquiries contact him directly at EricEverson@Hotmail.com.