Oracle survey finds youngsters to be cautious with mobile device

New research from Oracle has revealed that younger business workers are far more likely to find a way to access work data and applications on their mobile device – with or without their employers’ consent – yet they are also the most likely to lose their mobile device or, worse, have it stolen. With this new generation of mobile users working their way into businesses around the world, Oracle highlights the need for organizations to secure their business from the device right through to the data center.

Key Facts

• Young workers around the world are embracing mobility in the workplace, but they are also far more likely to lose their mobile devices, or have them stolen, than their more seasoned colleagues:

o   71% of workers aged 16-24 are using work applications on personal mobile devices.

o   73% admit to having lost at least one mobile device and 52% have had at least one stolen.

o   Among 45 – 54 year olds meanwhile, device theft is at just 20% and losses at 36%

• In fact, it seems the 16-24-year-old category are constantly finding new and interesting ways to lose or damage a mobile device:

o   53% have damaged a device by spilling a drink on it

o   51% have dropped their mobile phone into a toilet

o   49% have damaged a mobile device by sitting on it

o   …and 44% have lost or damaged a mobile phone in a way they were too embarrassed to admit to

• Businesses should be embracing mobile platforms, but some are being put off by clearly well-founded concerns about the security of mobile devices:

o   Only 24% of respondents said their company actively encourages mobile working, in India this figure is higher than the average at 31%

o   39% believe fears about the security of devices are a major obstacle for their bosses, falling to 37% in India