Mobile computing has become a fundamental feature in modern day life as people develop an unprecedented reliance on smart phones and tablets. However, along with their ubiquity comes a host of risks that can affect personal privacy, sensitive corporate information and even national security. SMU Professor of Information Systems Robert Deng believes that current approaches to mobile computing security have been ineffective because they fail to consider differences between platforms and applications. “Mobile devices are power- and resource-limited compared to desktop computers due to their smaller sizes. They are open to more channels such as mobile networks, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and storage cards. They also have increased functionality due to their ability to download applications. The mobility, connectivity and extensibility of mobile devices mean they require targeted and efficient security solutions,” said Prof Deng, who is also the director of SMU’s Secure Mobile Centre.