Mobile phones could soon be as much of a security concern for IT contractors as computer networks.

IT departments are likely to encompass mobile devices within the same policies as other computer users, it has been suggested.

Communications specialist Damovo UK's portfolio manager Alex Donnelly underlined the growing dangers posed by the increased use of mobile devices to store and pass on confidential and sensitive information.

He explained that one of the biggest challenges was not knowing where users are at any one time.

Mr Donnelly added: "The absence of remote management presents vulnerabilities in any organisation especially for the devices of senior management, as in today's environment they must be backed up and managed as the exposure is often unclear when a mobile device is lost or stolen."

His comments follow research by CREDANT Technologies, which indicated that over half of IT professionals are leaving mobile data security to chance by failing to encrypt information stored on devices.