Surviving The Camera Phone Phenomenon

The principal aim of this paper is to present the security practitioner with a compelling argument in favor of the immediate planning and implementation of appropriate security measures to protect against the threat of camera phones. Current organizational security policies which specifically address photography in its various forms will likely prove insufficient or incomplete as camera phones become more ubiquitous, primarily because camera phones possess the ability to electronically distribute images over the Internet moments after they are captured. Mainstream media has reported on individuals surreptitiously snapping photographs of unsuspecting subjects in compromising or embarrassing situations, but there has been little mention of the inherent dangers camera phones pose to corporate America. If you are a security practitioner by trade, are responsible for securing your organization's vital assets, or are simply concerned about personal security and/or privacy issues raised by these devices, it is imperative that you be made aware of the various threat vectors and take appropriate action now. This paper will delve into some legal, ethical, and socioeconomic issues surrounding camera phones and their use, and should provide an excellent starting point for drafting security policies.