A survey issued a few weeks ago showed that about 60 percent of enterprises have seen an increase in the amount of malware infections over the past 12 months. But the problems didn't originate from company desktop computers or email viruses. They originated from the use of insecure mobile devices being used in the workplace.

And that isn't an isolated study. Bring your own device (BYOD) is an issue that's resounding strongly across enterprises of all sizes in every country. While enterprises have largely learned to grapple with the security issues associated with desktop computers, corporate-owned devices and networks, they just don't have the resources or time to track down every employee who uses privately owned smartphones, tablets and other devices to access company information over the corporate network.

The reality is that enterprises shouldn't want to stifle the use of technology. It improves employee productivity and satisfaction. And, quite frankly, people often get a lot more done when left to their own devices than when given a set of tools that works for someone else.

But enterprises should have a healthy dose of fear. Mobile network operators (MNOs), mobile technology vendors and mobile security vendors should be working together on enabling BYOD. The companies featured in this month's Heavy Reading Mobile Networks Insider report, Enabling BYOD Creates Major Opportunity for Mobile Space, are facing a daunting challenge, but it's one with great promise. This is not a problem that's going away any time soon, and it's one that needs the collective attention of these industries so that enterprises can embrace mobile technology as much as consumers have.

This report examines the market for enabling BYOD, analyzing the most promising verticals for enabling BYOD and discussing drivers and challenges in the industry. It includes a comparative analysis of available solutions, examines the geographic landscape of the market and details trends that will likely occur in the industry over the next 18-24 months.

— Denise Culver, Research Analyst, Heavy Reading Mobile Networks Insider

The report, Enabling BYOD Creates Major Opportunity for Mobile Space, is available as part of an annual single-user subscription (six issues) to Mobile Networks Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900. To subscribe, please visit: www.heavyreading.com/mobile-networks.