Security Architecture, Endpoint/Device Security, Endpoint/Device Security, Endpoint/Device Security, Endpoint/Device Security, Endpoint/Device Security

Geo-fencing services are transforming mobile security and business growth

Technology enthusiasts and architects are developing networking platforms, applications and services with geo-fencing at its core. For many, it is a neat, flexible, and a simple way of curbing mobile security issues, surfacing with the surging bring-your-own-device (BYOD) revolution, and conducting businesses in a highly secured and compliant environment. 

Geo-fencing technology has been around for decades but the smart phone revolution has put the once niche technology into the spotlight. For businesses this technology enables a multitude of options fostering inexpensive digital marketing, social media campaigns and delivering a customized and contextual real time customer experience for stepping up their market ante.

Geo-fencing solutions define a virtual “fence” and devices that are in or out of this fence will trigger different types of actions. From geo-fencing tourist destinations and retail stores to emergency response programs, the technology is the backbone of a host of applications and services. 

So what makes it so efficient and popular across different industry individuals and simultaneously an easy pick for curbing mobile security issues?

Location-based data for value added communication and higher ROI

Geo-fencing augments the in-depth study of location-based data analytics. Businesses can seek actionable insights by reviewing device usage patterns in various locations, analyzing service demands and their mobile ad campaigns. Good geo-fences make good customers, thus, the location based data can be effectively used for improved, increased and contextual customer engagement, delivering tailored services for local events and holidays yielding higher ROI, and value added communication.

Real-time analysis of the location-based data can aid emergency services to administer efficient fleet management and dispatch the nearest team or personnel to the trauma site. This will fuel in improved response time as the dispatch time is not traded for searching information like contact numbers or on charge duty rooster.

Real-time messaging and alerts

IT administrators can define real-time alerts for devices entering and leaving geo-fenced areas. As the BYOD trend gains momentum, geo-fencing plays a key role in curbing user distraction without taking away the device control from the user. IT can ensure security and employee productivity in office by defining different geo-fencing rules including restricting security and privacy that impacts features like camera or SD cards while the in office, disabling phone use in discussion rooms, barring specific smartphone applications that affect productivity like limiting the use of social media sites within defined perimeters, and setting off location-based reminders or notifications when they pass a peers desk or discussion room.

Seamless integration with different technologies

Today's geo-fencing products and services leverage a combination of GPS and cellular triangulation, speed, optimized algorithms, different technologies like Bluetooth, cloud, etc., and different mobile operating systems. Like cloud technology, geo-fencing seamlessly integrates with or can be bundled with different technologies. Bluetooth, finger ID printing, cloud, and document sharing, can all be integrated to render business intelligence and an array of security and privacy services across different industry verticals.

Smart geo-fences improve organizations efficiency, safety and security but do geo-fencing services face any technical hurdles?

These solutions demand a steady satellite connection and result in significant battery drain. Thus, effective geo-fencing solutions must demonstrate persistent location tracking complemented by intelligent battery management and smooth transitions across different transport types and carriers for an efficacious location-based service.

Additionally, users often worry that these solutions invade their personal privacy by continuously broadcasting their location coordinates. Geo-fencing solutions must include sophisticated security settings that ensure user privacy protection. Users must consent for collection of location information and must have a easy way to disable this on-demand. For a successful geo-fenced solution that is embraced by many, it is important to have elaborate security features that protect data and prevent unconstitutional access to data repositories.

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