The proliferation of mobile devices is making it harder for
companies to stop employees using illegal or counterfeit software,
according to a survey of 500 business managers.
Of those surveyed by NOP on behalf of the Business Software
Alliance, 55% said mobile and remote working was making it
increasingly difficult for them to know what their staff are
loading onto laptops and mobile devices.
The survey also found that 67% of managers were not concerned about
the potential problem.
The BSA, which protects suppliers' software copyright, warned this
lax attitude towards potential unauthorised software use could
leave firms open to legal action.
The BSA said IT management policies and processes that companies
implement within the office environment may not be enforced for
staff working remotely or on the move.
Siobhan Carroll, BSA regional manager, said, "Organisations need to
keep a tight reign on exactly what their staff are putting onto
their mobile devices. This research suggests that UK managers have
a dangerously lax attitude to the downloading of illegal software
on company devices."