As more and more businesses use smartphones to communicate, organizations need to plan and restrict the usage and compartmentalize it into private use and business use. Smartphones use the organization’s information systems and are hence a source of new risk. They collect and compile increasing amount of sensitive data and must be controlled to protect both the privacy of the user as well as the intellectual property of the company. Typical enterprise protections such as isolated enterprise sandboxes and the ability to remotely wipe a device may fail to mitigate the challenges that are associated with the complex mobile information systems that are in existence today.
Threats are divided into two broad categories, primarily focused upon mobile applications and software, the network stack and the associated infrastructure, and the greater mobile ecosystem.
It is hence important that a set of security controls and countermeasures that address mobile threats in a holistic manner must be identified. A broader view of the entire mobile security ecosystem has become a necessity. This consideration also needs to go beyond devices and extend to cellular networks and cloud infrastructure too.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Identify threats to mobile devices.
- Implement best practices, security solutions to better protect the enterprise security.
- All devices – especially mobile devices, must be protected with a strong anti-virus software.
- Connections to public Wi-Fi are not secure and a Virtual Private Network while connecting to business network should be a must. This encrypts messages so that the hackers cannot make any sense of them.
- All devices must – have a wipe function so that if an employee leaves his device unattended or it is lost or is found in wrong hands, the data can be eradicated – remotely.
- Strong passwords are recommended for devices so that anyone who finds the device cannot gain access to any of the documents.
As more and more mobile devices hit the market, they become more susceptible to hacks and attackers who exploit vulnerabilities. It is hence essential for businesses to ensure that their interconnected devices and networks are safeguarded against such security threats.
