Law Technology

iPhone Security: Protect or Prohibit?

By Katie Luper

As a law student, if my iPhone were to be stolen or misplaced and then hacked, the individual in possession of my phone would be privy to pictures of my dog sleeping, text messages telling my husband how long I?ll be in the library and a huge collection of studying music as well as the contact information of my friends and family. However, as we turn into practicing attorneys, the stakes become much higher. Jeff Richardson over at iPhone JD recently wrote a well-reasoned article about iPhone security after the ABA Journal reported on a law firm abandoning the iPhone over security issues.

For Tyson?s sake, there is also the question of the Blackberry. The Blackberry has the distinct advantage of longevity over the iPhone. Law firms have been using the Blackberry since it?s inception in the 90?s and their IT staff is quite accustomed to the ins and outs of its security.

However, the basic problem still remains which is that these smart phones are small and easily misplaced. Although laptops are misplaced at airports, hotels, courtrooms etc. it is much harder to leave your laptop behind as opposed to pulling your smart phone out on the train, lunch table or five minute coffee break. Physical possession remains the greatest opponent of the smartphone. My personal solution? I’ll just physically teather it to my person.

Related posts:

1. Blackberry Bold vs. iPhone
2. Sexting: Think Twice Before Pressing Send
3. Dear Blackberry: I Want Cool Apps Too

Full post as published by Social Media Law Student on January 04, 2010 (boomark / email).