UK businesses are putting their reputation and core business assets on the line by failing to implement or enforce mobile working security policies.

According to research by Vodafone, 25% of businesses have experienced security issues as a result of employees breaching company policy when using laptops or mobiles outside of work.

The survey also highlighted a worrying lack of awareness among staff of company security policies, with 50% admitting they did not know there were different policies when using IT inside or outside of work and one in three saying they had never read the IT policy or didn't know it existed.

"It's clear from the research that although many companies are setting remote and mobile working policies, they often prove to be ineffective because staff just don't follow them," said Curt Hopkins, head of enterprise mobility solutions at Vodafone UK.

It's clear from the research that although many companies are setting remote and mobile working policies, they often prove to be ineffective because staff just don't follow them

"Not only is this due to lack of knowledge or understanding on the part of the user, but also to lack of awareness in the IT department of effective solutions to extend and enforce security policies and practices to the mobile device estate."

The research suggest that while the new generation of mobile devices such as connected laptops and smart phones can offer genuine business advantages to businesses - such as accessing corporate networks from almost anywhere - there are also risks that need actively managing. This is only likely to become a bigger issue as more companies turn to mobile working.

Unauthorised access to sensitive company information and employee/customer databases could be crippling for small businesses, and Vodafone is urging any company that allows staff to work remotely to ensure they implement an effective remote access security solution across their whole network.

"Today's mobile devices are complex and have the potential to open holes in corporate security policies," said Hopkins.

"Businesses that implement a remote access solution across their network will benefit from reduced risk, improved compliance and productivity as well as improved peace of mind, knowing that their corporate information is secure."