Using mobile devices for work isn’t new in the corporate world, but the rise of remote work due to COVID-19 encouraged this practice even more. Currently, approximately 84% of companies either allow or expect employees to use their mobile devices to complete work tasks. However, using personal mobile devices for work doesn’t come without risk. If employees can access sensitive company data from their mobile devices, then they should take action to ensure mobile device security.
Mobile Device Security Risks: What You Need to Know
When discussing cybersecurity, the conversation usually centers around computers. Unfortunately, mobile devices are not immune to cyber threats, and cybersecurity professionals should not ignore the risks they carry.
According to Zimperium’s 2023 Global Mobile Report, 73% of companies that experienced a mobile-related vulnerability classified the result as a “major breach.” The report describes personal devices as less secure than company hardware, and one-fifth of successful phishing emails originated from a mobile device. In fact, 80% of phishing sites are targeting mobile devices.
Phishing isn’t the only risk to mobile devices. Threats such as fake apps, sophisticated spyware, and coding errors in apps can all compromise personal devices.
As threats to mobile device security continue to evolve, cybersecurity teams must build a strategic plan for employees to implement with their personal devices.
Proactive Cybersecurity Tips for Mobile Devices
If your company’s employees frequently access company data on their mobile devices, here are some cybersecurity practices your team can share:
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Encourage the use of MFA to add an additional layer of security beyond just passwords. By requiring employees to verify their identity through multiple methods (such as a text message, email, or authentication app), you can reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access even if login credentials are compromised.
- Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) Solutions: MDM tools allow companies to monitor, manage, and secure employees’ mobile devices remotely. Through MDM, companies can enforce security policies, manage app usage, and wipe data from lost or stolen devices, ensuring sensitive information is protected.
- Educate Employees on Phishing and Social Engineering Tactics: Provide training on how to recognize and avoid phishing attempts and other social engineering attacks. Since many phishing attempts now target mobile devices, educating employees on these threats can significantly reduce the risk of a successful attack.
- Encrypt Sensitive Data: Encourage the use of encryption for any sensitive company data stored or transmitted on mobile devices. Encryption ensures that even if data is intercepted or a device is compromised, the information remains unreadable to unauthorized users.
- Limit Access to Company Data: Use role-based access controls to restrict the amount of sensitive information accessible from mobile devices. By limiting access based on an employee’s role, you reduce the potential impact of a breach.
By adopting these strategies, your company can significantly enhance the security of mobile devices used for work purposes, protecting both the organization and its employees from potential cyber threats.
Wrap-Up: Securing the Mobile Workforce
Ensuring the security of personal devices used for business tasks is more critical than ever. By implementing robust cybersecurity strategies, companies can mitigate the risks associated with mobile device usage and protect sensitive data from evolving threats. Ultimately, proactive measures will safeguard both organizational assets and employee information, creating a more secure workplace.
