IT contractors may be required to help firms to incorporate use of the iPad into their security policies.

According to the latest research from iPass, 91 per cent of those who own the Apple device plan to use it for work or already do so.

In addition, the report found that the line between consumer and business applications has become blurred with many employees using email, calendars, text messaging and browsing for both work and personal business.

Reacting to the news, the business development manager for DeviceLock Alexei Lesnykh said that the iPad is equipped to become a major tool for the modern worker.

It is therefore important that companies formulate their data security processes to specifically the iPad and the threats it can bring, Mr Lesnykh insists.

"Sensitive data can be quickly and uncontrollably copied from the computer to the iPad and later on accidentally or deliberately sent into the wild," he said.