UNITED STATES PDA COMPUTERS AND SECURITY ISSUESGet a handle on handhelds
From lawmakers to census takers, government workers of all stripes are using handheld computers to connect to the office and do their jobs while on the go.

Wired or wireless, personal digital assistants are becoming the device of choice for mobile workers. In addition to calendar and e-mail features, specialized software applications are allowing workers to input data and access information from the field.

But how are agencies managing these devices? In most cases, handheld management is an afterthought: Users buy a PDA, install software and connect it to the network without regard to enterprise policies or security and support practices.

Now some agencies are taking advantage of management tools available from traditional systems management vendors and a new group of niche players to help them control and manage these devices.

Like other computer equipment, there is an upfront investment associated with buying handheld computers, but there are also hidden costs that factor into the equation, such as user training, software and hardware maintenance, and security risks. However, users and, not surprisingly, vendors say that the cost of not having tools and a strategy for managing these devices is greater.