With the information storage capabilities of PDAs, BlackBerrys and smartphones rising exponentially, organisations need to wake up to the security issues involved in protecting these devices, says analyst group Juniper Research.

A new report by the communications industry analyst group highlights the sharp rise in security attacks on mobile phones in particular. According to Juniper, the threat of identity theft, regulatory pressures to ensure sensitive data is protected, and the emergence of mobile viruses and malware will prompt rapid take up of mobile security products.

Within five years, says Juniper, almost 250 million devices by will be protected by such software and related services. That figure represents 8% of the total mobile install base globally.

The greater security threat is linked, in part, to the greater likelihood of mobile phones being stolen or lost. Despite various police initiatives and efforts by mobile phone operators to discourage it, mobile phone theft will continue to rise with a forecast of nearly 4% of all mobile phones stolen annually by 2011, according to Juniper’s predictions.

The report also illustrates that with mobile phones out-shipping PCs by five to one in 2006, the problem of mobile security is set to escalate.