Ever heard of “cloud computing?” The push to store files on the internet and to share multi-licensed software over a network is coming back in vogue. My guess is that it’s not a function of the IT guy wanting to “completely control the whole environment as if it were 1975″ and more a matter of the cost savings and security (in the sense that storing data off-site means that a disaster on-site doesn’t cripple a business a la 9-11).

Security is really only a concern if an employee loses it, then someone finds it and hacks it. Can they access data they shouldn’t before it gets remote wiped by hacking it? Even so, is that any different than a Blackberry or Windows Mobile?
BB perhaps, but WM it doesn’t seem likely.

Here’s the rub though, many end users not all, but many who would jailbreak their phone would still expect IT to fix the problem. Its like the guy who installs his own custom exhaust on the car and then expects the mechanic to fix the smog on his car without changing anything back to spec.

But the crux of the matter is that you still need password, user ids, certificates, etc. to access Oracle, PeopleSoft, Notes, etc. And presumably, like a Blackberry, you would need IT to “authorize” your BB/iPhone (and probably sign some security/confidentiality agreement).

And desktops can be hacked, other software loaded, browser/flash/web/quicktime exploits/vulnerabilities, etc.

For this IT guy to say “Apple knows everyone would be hacking these things…” is just silly.

I do have a question for some of you BlackBerry folks out there though… How many of your BlackBerry Administrators would allow you to continue to connect your device to SAP, Oracle Financials, PeoepleSoft or some other mission critical enterprise application after you’ve installed firmware that they don’t support or even know you may have on your device?

I am guessing about the same number that would just let you join your personal laptop to the corporate domain because you got a “really cool new one”, but, I thought that I would ask the question anyway…

You can get a Blackberry on any service provider so there isn’t a demand for a jail broken Blackberry. That, and quite frankly, it’s just not as ’sexy” or sought after device.

Nobody I know has waited in line for one, nor am I aware of them being sold out for weeks and thousands of people blogging about them or trying to find when the next shipment will arrive.

Maybe you could look at it like the classic Windows vs Mac debate with virus but reversed. More viruses for Windows since it’s more popular. People jail break iphones because they are a more popular device.

Hmm, it doesn’t. Even jailbroken and hacked beyond belief, it still can’t bypass an email login or brute force attack the login.