Sophos has announced Sophos Mobile Control (SMC) 4.0, which includes individual file encryption, integrated AV and Web filtering. Available on premise or as-a-service, SMC provides a simple and differentiated approach for small and mid-market organisations to manage and secure mobile devices, content and applications. The new Sophos solution further helps IT professionals confidently implement BYOD policies and provides users with the flexibility they demand to stay productive and safe.
It supports iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8 devices.

With Mobile Content Management for iOS devices, SMC offers file-level encryption, which gates access to each file, to protect the data in the office and on the go. SMC also delivers integrated security against malware and malicious web sites for Android devices, which account for 80% of smartphone operating systems worldwide as well as the majority of mobile malware threats. The number of unique pieces of mobile malware seen by SophosLabs has now reached almost 900 000 and is growing rapidly.

With web protection for Android, IT administrators can select Web site categories to control access and block data-stealing or inappropriate web pages. SMC 4.0 also provides integration with Sophos UTM, Checkpoint and Cisco to provide network access control. Compromised devices are isolated from the network, protecting the organisation's assets from malware on mobile devices. SMC's user-centric deployment, management and pricing greatly simplifies administration. With an intuitive Web-based management console, IT administrators can provide their users with a self-service portal to change passwords, register devices and report lost or stolen devices.

Sophos conducted a survey of more than 725 IT professionals on their use and preferences of cloud share services, encryption and mobile devices. The survey showed 84% of organisations allow some level of access from company-issued devices to cloud-based file share services such as Dropbox, however 65% of respondents do not currently encrypt data between the cloud and mobile devices. Surprisingly, only 38% feel secure sharing corporate files or collaborating on corporate content between the cloud and mobile devices.

"The results of the survey demonstrate the enormous opportunity for SMC 4.0, as it assures organisations that their data is safe wherever users are and provides organisations with the confidence to use cloud accounts for collaborating and maintaining content safely and securely," says Brett Myroff, CEO of Sophos distributor, NetXactics.

Dan Schiappa, SVP and GM of Sophos' Enduser Security Group, says: "SMC 4.0 extends the Sophos commitment to delivering comprehensive data protection, offering solutions to manage, secure and protect not just the mobile devices themselves, but also the content and applications on those devices. SMC 4.0 takes data protection beyond the office door by ensuring persistent mobile encryption on devices. Additional network access control based on device compliance status makes mobile device management, content management and mobile security simple and effective."

Chris Hazelton, Research Director for Mobile & Wireless at 451 Research, adds: "The rapid shift to more flexible and increasingly mobile working patterns has led to widespread adoption (with or without the consent of IT) of file-sync and -share services as users seek to store and collaborate on shared content. This 'any device, any cloud' trend will only continue, so organisations face an increased risk of losing sensitive corporate data if they don't deploy encryption and data loss protection tools. The integration of these data security tools into EMM provides companies with a simple deployment option that should resonate well with the SMB market."

To access Sophos' survey, visit: http://sophos.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/sophos-mobile-cloud-encryption-infographic.pdf