Exchange Integration lose privacy?

[likingdroid]

Probably a really basic question, but I don't see it written up.

My personal phone is the Moto droid (verizon), and I use it for all my personal stuff... gmail, internet browsing, google calendar, personal calls/contacts, etc.

It would be convenient to view my work email (corporate exchange server) on my droid.

If I enable the exchange account on my droid, how much control to I cede to the corporate IT department (I really don't trust them with any of my personal info)?

I heard that they can (also heard that they can't) wipe my phone. Is that true? If so, is it just my corporate/exchange email, or the gmail, personal contacts, google calendar (etc)?

Can they access browser history? Phone logs? personal contacts?

Basically, I'd like to keep my personal and work lives as separate as possible, but it would be easier to carry access my exchange email from that personal device.

Thanks in advance!

 

[A.Nonymous]

I'm an Exchange administrator so I can answer your question. If you put corporate e-mail on your phone, I have the ability to enforce a security policy (but I don't have to if I don't want to). Depending on what version of Exchange you've got (2003, 2007 or 2010) your IT department can force you to put a passcode on your phone so each time your phone locks, you'll have to put in a code to unlock it. (This code is determined by you, but the IT department can determine just how complex it has to be.) IT also has the ability to remotely wipe your phone and you have this ability as well. They can't get into your browser history, phone logs, etc.... unless you personally hand them the phone at some point. They can't see it remotely.

 

[likingdroid]

Thanks for the fast response.

Regarding the remote wipe... does that just wipe the exchange email info, or will it zero out everything on the phone (similar to a factory reset, or something like that)?

 

[bilbravo]

I'm an Exchange administrator so I can answer your question. If you put corporate e-mail on your phone, I have the ability to enforce a security policy (but I don't have to if I don't want to). Depending on what version of Exchange you've got (2003, 2007 or 2010) your IT department can force you to put a passcode on your phone so each time your phone locks, you'll have to put in a code to unlock it. (This code is determined by you, but the IT department can determine just how complex it has to be.) IT also has the ability to remotely wipe your phone and you have this ability as well. They can't get into your browser history, phone logs, etc.... unless you personally hand them the phone at some point. They can't see it remotely.

Great. It is good to know they can't see things like SMS, google/Yahoo IMs, or gmail and web history. I was interested to know what was visible as well.