IT contractors using an Android-powered handset for their business may wish to take a look at a new report.

According to a study by code analysis group Coverity, there are processing flaws in the kernel of Google's open source software, which could leave its operating systems at risk from hackers, the Financial Times reports.

Although the research was carried out using the HTC Droid Incredible handset, the fact that the flaws are in the software kernel make it likely that all most other Android-powered handsets will be affected, the publication claims.

Chris Wysopal, chief technology officer of Veracode, said that this is certainly something that needs immediate investigation.

"We're running in a risky situation before people can get a handle on how to make them more secure," he said.

Mark Bauhaus, executive vice-president and general manager of the Service Layer Technologies business group at Juniper, recently insisted that mobile handset makers need to start making security a key component of the design process.