Handheld Device – Backup Data & Reduce Data Exposure

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Backup Data

Utilizing a handheld (any type of computing device that is small enough to be held in one’s hand or kept in a pocket) device as the single repository for crucial information is an invitation for disaster. To protect important information residing on a handheld device, a restorable backup of the contents should be performed on a regular basis. Information may be synchronized with a desktop computer as a common means of backup and as well potential dual use. Information includes Personal Information Management data, electronic documents, including photos and music, applications, and network settings.

Backing up information on the memory card is an option means of backup, but efficient exclusively if the card is kept separately away from the device. Otherwise, the device and card could be lost or stolen together, constricting the benefits primarily to situations where the device fails. Contact information such as phone numbers and addresses can as well be printed out and kept in a day planner as a form of physical backup.

Reduce Data Exposure

Avoid keeping delicate information, such as personal and financial account information, on a handheld device. As referred before, even erased data can frequently be recuperated from memory.

Although it might constitute a convenience for authenticating to online accounts or to other devices, maintaining PIN (Personal Identification Number)s, passwords, user IDs, and account numbers on a handheld device should also be avoided. Delicate information could as well be maintained on removable memory cards, kept separately from the device until required. Issues with labeling and tracking delicate data held on this type of media may uprise.

If the presence of delicate information isn’t evitable, the information should be kept in a proper encrypted form until necessitated. Some devices do support inbuilt encryption capabilities. For instance, certain Symbian (an open operating system, designed for mobile devices) devices offer a “wallet” to put in personal information, such as credit card numbers, contacts, user names, and passwords, in an encrypted form. The wallet opens when the password is entered and closes automatically after a period of inactivity.

Any products and procedures of this type should be controlled for conformity with organizational encryption policies. A important number of commercially acquirable encryption tools as well exist, especially for smart phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants), which typically have more capable processors necessitated to execute cryptographic calculations quickly. A few products also encrypt memory card contents in plus to encrypting device contents.

Protecting delicate information on a device with encryption is an efficient measure, particularly appropriate for devices utilized for organizational purposes. The Advanced Encryption Standard was formulated for Federal departments and agencies to encrypt and decrypt such data . Encryption, while efficient, has its limitations, nevertheless, because a malicious application could gain access to decrypted contents when the device is in utilization.

Modern memory cards that conform to the multimedia card security standards include a password locking capability that some handheld devices utilize. For instance, a number of Symbian OS devices take advantage of this capability. A case-sensitive password up to 8 characters long can be entered for a memory card. Once enabled, the password is demanded again whenever the memory card is reinserted into the device.

If the memory card is introduced into another card locking-compatible device, a prompt for the password appears. Other devices without this feature, including desktop computers with card readers, fail to recognize the card. This characteristic can be a important means to secure delicate information kept separately from the device, especially when encryption is as well employed. One drawback that can happen is if the device fails and the user forgets the password required to unlock the card.

Communication protocols commonly include authentication and encryption features that protect data. Configuration settings should take full advantage of those features and normally enable them as the default setting.



4 Responses to “Handheld Device – Backup Data & Reduce Data Exposure”

1. Ken says:

   interesting post
2. P. Silva says:

   a very good article about Handheld Device – Backup Data & Reduce Data Exposure
3. Falcon says:

   Thanks again. Great, eh HUGE article!
4. Moleskine says:

   Thanks! you are the best!!!!
5. Rua says:

   Great resource here – you just saved me and my team amn a week’s worth of research!
6. Fandal says:

   interesting thanx