Data security is always the top priority for businesses of all sizes, and there is never a moment you should go slack with it. However, this gets challenging as businesses generate massive volumes and a variety of data every day. Another fact that adds to the challenge is that this data comes from and goes to mobile devices as well. Every mobile device in the corporate infrastructure is like a weak point that hackers can compromise and steal the data on it. So it makes sense to go the extra mile with the right security measures to protect the corporate data across mobile devices.
It sounds challenging, considering BYOD is a norm for most organizations today, and there may be hundreds of mobile devices in the ecosystem at any point. Managing them all can be a big task for your IT security team. However, the right tools coupled with a proper mindset can help you secure sensitive data on mobile devices without much work. Let us explain some simple steps for mobile data security every business should have in place.
Have a BYOD policy in place
When it comes to protecting business data in the current landscape, nothing is more important than having a formal BYOD policy in place. After all, you need to make sure that there are no unintentional and malicious threats at the hands of employees bringing their personal devices into the corporate ecosystem. The critical elements of this policy include password norms, installation of remote wiping software, protocols for reporting loss or theft of devices, and use of protective security software for device-level security. Education and training for your employees are vital because they should know how to safeguard company data while accessing it from their own mobile phones.
Maintain access control to mobile devices and data
Maintaining access control policies is vital to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your mobile devices and data. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions are a critical investment for enterprises as they enable access management. These solutions create identity and authentication protocols for devices by installing an MDM agent on them and monitoring access requests. With this, you can make sure that nobody outside the business can access the devices. The security protocols cover the data stored on these devices as well. It ensures data encryption while uploading or downloading from a device. Further, data is secured with access regulations that permit only authorized users and applications to use it.
Ensure that devices are updated at all times
Your business data is only as secure as the devices that house them, which means that you should go the extra mile with device security. The latest software updates are critical for mobile devices because they include patches for various security vulnerabilities. These holes can expose the device and data to malware and other security threats. As a security best practice, ensure that all employees install the updates at the earliest. Apart from software updates, they should also cover their devices with reliable antivirus software. At the same time, make the users aware of the suspicious sites and apps that could bring malware to their devices, so that they can steer clear of them.
Discourage the use of public Wi-Fi networks
Public WiFi networks are perhaps the biggest threat to corporate mobile device security strategy. A device connecting to a public Wi-Fi network becomes an easy target for any hacker or malware looking to compromise hardware and data. This is perhaps the simplest way they can break into your network and cause havoc, so you need to make sure that it never happens. Enterprises need to enforce strict rules that discourage users from accessing these networks because they can pose a serious risk to sensitive business data. Training your employees and educating them about the perils of using public Wi-Fi is also important.
Have native device and OS security tools in place
When you implement a BYOD policy for your organization, it is likely that there will be multiple device types and diverse operating systems in your ecosystem. These devices and OS usually include built-in security tools, but best-in-market mobile device management solutions always give you an additional layer of safety. Have a close look at the available security tools and assess whether they are good enough from the enterprise device security practices. Sometimes, they may not be enough to protect a device fully, so you cannot rely solely on them.
Back up mobile data regularly
Even if you take all the steps to secure your devices and data, disasters can still happen. If corporate data is compromised, you may have to delete it, or it may not be accessible anymore. It makes sense to back up the data on BYOD devices regularly and maintain it as a routine for all the employees using such devices. Do not consider it as a one-and-done deal; rather, enforce it as a rule that the entire organization has to follow strictly and without any exceptions.
Evaluate your MDM strategy periodically
Although you may take all the steps required to create a robust MDM strategy for your business, there isn’t a guarantee that it will always work. One of the tools may not be good enough, or an employee may not be adhering to the BYOD policies properly. There is always a chance of a new threat surfacing in the evolving cybersecurity landscape. Evaluating your data security plan periodically helps you find holes that need to be addressed sooner rather than later. Also, it keeps you prepared to deal with security threats that may arise anytime in the future.
🔥👉 Allowing personal mobile devices in the corporate ecosystem is fraught with risks, but not doing so can compromise with the flexibility and mobility of your business. The best thing to do is to keep tight security controls over your business data and devices so that you can get the best benefits while minimizing the risks. A reliable mobile device management solution has you covered, so implementing one is worth the effort.
source: Plato
