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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
OMTP Paves Way For Secure Enhanced Mobile Applications
London, UK October 22 2007: The OMTP today announced the release of its mobile security whitepaper – an in-depth assessment and appraisal of the current threats and security issues faced by the mobile industry. The paper describes how the OMTP aims to break down some of the significant barriers that are currently prohibiting innovative mobile applications, such as m-commerce, pay-per-view TV and m-ticketing.
Entitled ‘Mobile Handset Security: Securing Open Devices and Enabling Trust,’ the document explains the areas that the OMTP and its members are working on to tackle all aspects of device security. With mobile devices increasingly used to hold personal and business information, there’s more to tempt would-be thieves and hackers. From having expensive handsets stolen to accidentally downloading an application that could dial premium rate numbers, the impact of a security breach can be intense and costly for the mobile consumer.
The OMTP members aim to enhance the consumer experience when using mobile devices and its recent security recommendations tackle the topic of enhancing user confidence - key to the industry if it is to successfully deploy innovative applications.
“With technology such as WiFi and GPS being used in handsets, comes an increase in the risk of fraud and unauthorised access for mobile users. People want to try out new applications such as mobile payments and mobile TV, but ultimately want to know such applications are safe.” commented David Rogers, Industry Relations Manager, OMTP. “The OMTP members are dedicated to enhancing the user experience and want to ensure that consumers avoid getting any nasty surprises on their phone.” He added that, “consumers will also benefit from security measures which will help to reduce the massive number of phones that are stolen every year. “Increasing security in the heart of the device significantly reduces the chance of handsets being re-enabled after theft, ultimately reducing the incentive for theft in the first place.”
The OMTP’s published and forthcoming recommendations on security include areas such as:
Signing Schemes Requirements: A set of universal recommendations for companies that digitally sign applications for mobile phones so that users can put trust in what they are installing on their handset.
Application Security Framework: This document details the security policy that operates within the phone, making sure that malicious applications such as viruses cannot spread.
Basic and Advanced Trusted Environment: Two documents that outline how the underlying security in phones should work - making it extremely difficult for hackers to get into a phone such as by probing memory or changing information on the device.
Incident Handling: A process for dealing with malware issues that could prevent many people using their handset or getting massively high bills due to fraud. This could be a mass outbreak of a virus across lots of different networks in different countries.
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