A portable information device includes a dynamically configurable security arrangement in which operational settings are automatically and dynamically configured based on a current set of security risks to which the device is exposed, on a current computing capacity of the portable information device, or both. The operational settings can be adjusted to control which security services or functions are to be executed locally by portable information device, and which of the security services or functions are to be executed remotely on at least one computing device that is distinct from the portable information device.