A survey of 341 UK companies carried out by security specialist Wick Hill found that 48 per cent employ more than 150 remote users, and a further 11 per cent had 50 to 100 remote users.

The National Gateway Security Survey 2008, published today, suggests 61 per cent of companies are seeing the number of remote and mobile users increase, though IT managers know the remain security risks involved.

Securing access to company networks from remote desktop PCs and mobile devices was rated very important by 75 per cent of those questioned, with authenticating remote users rated important by 67 per cent.