F-Secure's Mobile Security for Business version 5 offers protection for business smartphones and can be centralised for protection monitoring for IT administrators. The product we evaluated came in two parts, a mobile application loaded on a Windows Mobile device; and access to F-Secure's Mobile Security Mobile Service hosted device management.
Mobile Security for Business includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, a firewall and a remote control anti-theft feature that can safeguard confidential information on mobile phones. The anti-theft feature is currently only available for Symbian S60 third edition phones.
Mobile Security has support for most Symbian and Windows Mobile devices. We tested on a Windows Mobile using F-Secure's hosted centralised management application and the F-Secure Mobile Services portal to centrally monitor the protection status of the smartphone. The administrator can send the service activation key code to the phones, through SMS and monitor the subscription status with a web browser.
Security features include anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall and anti-theft features such as remote locking, remote wiping and theft control, although anti-theft features are only available for S60 third and fifth edition smartphones. Application updates are encrypted but no native support exists for file encryption at rest or in motion.
The centralised management interface provides a nice tool for managing devices and viewing event data. There was no reporting capabilities or alerting available. The device side offering was impressive and easy to use. The management interface did not offer much more than simple device management. Mobile Security for Business supports the Open Mobile Alliance standard allowing administrators to use a standards-based device management system for performing management tasks over the air.
Basic support provides 24/7 email access and 9/5 phone support. Enhanced support options are available for an additional fee. The documentation was complete and accurate.
The device solution was full featured lacking only file encryption. The management interface was less than expected for an enterprise-class solution.