Mobile devices can pose security challenges

Mobile devices have become an integral part of people’s daily lives. Nearly everyone has a smartphone and a laptop these days. Connectivity is essential in today’s business world, so it is logical the smartphones and tablets are being used as much for business as they are for leisure. With large portions of the workforce taking on hybrid or fully remote positions, many are using these devices to complete their work and access company data.

Allowing employees to use their own mobile devices or other electronics at work has helped businesses save money on technology spending and the IT department is relieved from troubleshooting, repairing, or replacing devices. The convenience for users is, that they rely on devices they are familiar with, the research shows also positive effects on their mobility, efficiency, and satisfaction in general.

The success of this strategy relies on it being implemented correctly, with concerns around security.

Of course, this comes with a downside: such practice can pose more risk for the organization, since employees use their devices also for personal activities. The need to establish proper guidelines for usage and control of these devices is therefore necessary.

User responsibilities

All employees should understand the safety risks and consequences of not following the rules (and the company should actively seek to educate them). When devices connect to corporate networks, data breaches, malware injections into corporate systems, or business disruptions can occur.

Security settings should be set by the IT department and users should not attempt to change or disable security settings. When a user suspects that their personal device may be infected.

Users should physically secure their devices and store them securely in a vehicle, hotel room, or other public location when not in use. If a user loses or misplaces such a device, they should immediately notify their IT department of the potential security risk.

Also, the user should not dispose of the previously authorized device until the IT department has officially retired the device for BYOD usage.

Top BYOD security risks

1. Data Breach
Data can be lost or compromised if devices are misplaced or stolen, or if malware is installed on a personally owned device.

2. Mixing Private and Business
Even though you educate regarding security to ensure that employees don’t lend their devices to friends or shop online from her compromised website, you can not prevent such mishappens

3. Malicious Apps
Some malicious apps can take control of the user’s mobile device. This can result in unwanted surveillance or even loss of personal or work information. Users surely need training on app best practices

4. Stolen or Lost Devices
Research shows that 68% of healthcare data breaches are caused by lost or stolen employee devices or files. Protect the employees’ devices with password and biometric security measures. This ensures that even if a thief gets hold of an employee’s device, they cannot access the data.

Train employees to protect their devices with passwords or biometric security measures.

5. Device Management Challenges
It can be difficult to control if it’s being used with questionable free WiFi connections, or if it’s been misplaced and stolen.

6. Device Infection
Many users with infected smartphones are unaware that their devices contain malware. Outdated mobile operating systems can be a significant risk factor, as some of the most malicious malware primarily affects older operating systems.

7. Insufficient Policies
An effective policy is necessary to avoid fines, especially if the organization is required to comply with PCI DSS, HIPAA, or any other regulatory requirements.

8. Inability to Control Devices
Employees aren’t always careful, and too much access by a disgruntled employee can cause a lot of damage. In many BYOD programs, a large part of the security burden comes from not having control over the device.

What should a BYOD Policy include?

For best practice, the following guidelines should be followed:

Compile a list of devices that are allowed to be used for BYOD purposes
Active anti-malware software should be applied, regularly updated, and used to scan the device
Create a list of unapproved applications, which should not be installed while the device is being used for business purposes
for a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, the mobile device security policy should be applied
include the ability to remotely wipe these devices in the event of loss or theft and lock down any components that could pose a security risk.

The devices are to be updated with the latest operating system and applications
The devices should be properly encrypted, especially if there is a possibility that the device is recording, hiding, or even temporarily storing organizational data.
A correct configuration of the device to access resources remotely and securely (such as through a VPN connection) is of vital importance
IT should remove any encryption, VPN, and anti-malware software from the user’s device, when a device needs to be decommissioned

Note that some people may need a lot of time to learn, but some may be able to write a security code while they sleep. Allow them to become your cybersecurity advocates and lead others to the same goal.

We offer trainings, that engage your employees, system security checks to identify potential vulnerabilities and more! If you need more information, please contact us and we would gladly respond.