The Mobile Security Failure

Mobile has substantially changed the security update landscape, driven in part by evolving consumer expectations that champion frequent, minor enhancements over stability and security. I first discussed the defect acceptance trend in 2012 as a way to explain how software companies have been able distribute flawed software while also handing responsibility for maintaining that software to the consumer. In the two years since, accelerated use of mobile, and by extension cloud, applications has worsened the trend by limiting end-user control and forcing the consumer to accept unwanted feature changes to receive security updates. Not only must consumers accept flawed software, they must now also trade flexibility for some semblance of protection.

I’ve recently had three operating system software updates that each provide new perspective on how software maintenance has changed over the last decade. I’ll take a look at how those changes reflect new cost to consumers.

Why I Love and Hate Apple Maps in iOS 6

Apple surprised me with its Maps update in iOS 6. It wasn't just that it represents one of the few missteps that Apple makes but that Apple violated several tenets of its very well-honed brand foundation and reputation.

The debacle that is Apple Maps is epic with failures in three key areas: usability, data, and business decision-making. This posting expands on each of those areas.

Are Mobile Carriers Killing Business Security?

Mobile service providers, including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and Sprint, know something about your smartphone that you don't.  What is this little nugget of information?  Service providers have no problem with selling you a supercomputer (a.k.a. smartphone) that they have no intention to protect.  It's not that they make it a secret or that the information isn't readily available, it's just that they know that you don't care, and they're right.  That's killing the ability for organizations to protect themselves.