subject: What To Do And Avoid To Ensure Mobile Device Security [print this page] Mobile devices are an integral part of majority of enterprises worldwide, irrespective of their sizes and types. An important aspect of enterprise mobile strategy should be the deployment of only secure devices in order to avoid risks such as loss of important, confidential, and competitive business data. According to mobile market researchers, research is the key to ensuring mobile device security. If the enterprise authorities do not have a clear understanding of how the mobile strategy must be implemented, following security guidelines becomes difficult.
Research reports point to the fact that the growing popularity of the BYOD (bring your own device) concept has increased the challenges posed to mobile device security within the enterprise. Since the BYOD framework inspires a rapid proliferation of personal mobile devices into the workplace, there is a higher possibility that such devices may be used to launch attacks on sensitive enterprise information or spread malware in the enterprise software. It is to avoid such security threats that several enterprises appoint a qualified and skilled team of IT professionals who suggest and deploy safety measures for the enterprises mobile devices, platforms, and applications. For organizations with limited resources, listed below are tips to follow and avoid while ensuring mobile device security:
What to Do for Mobile Security:
1. The enterprise must state clearly the action to be taken if mobile devices get lost or are stolen accidentally.
2. All the devices deployed must have features like password locking, remote wipe, and hardware encryption.
3. Software and OS platforms must be updated regularly in order to ensure quick fixing of security breaches.
4. If there is a virus attack on any device in the enterprise, the security vulnerability tracking feeds need to be monitored immediately.
5. The mobile testing team of the enterprise must be equipped to detect security threats beforehand.
6. Solicitation of information related to mobile device security from other enterprises that deal with similar products and services is important. This information should be used to formulate training slides to teach security norms to the IT team of your enterprise.
7. All devices deployed must first meet the security standards that are formally announced by government and financial bodies.
8. The purpose to be served by the mobile device within an enterprise must be clearly stated; a device should not be used for achieving ends other than set by the authority. If the mobile device rationale is unknown, the security shortcomings will also remain unidentifiable.
What to Avoid in Mobile Security:
1. While division of duties is important for the proper functioning of an enterprise, it is suggested not to allow use of mobile devices by only the senior management of an organization. The junior staff often exploits security norms better as they have less day to day responsibilities to complete.
2. Enterprises should check that protection and control standards are set before using the devices for business operations. Merely following other security rules without checking this feature will cause loss of proprietary data.
3. Enterprises often assume that hardware encryption on a mobile device while it is in transit and when it is not occurs in the same way. This is a wrong idea and jeopardizes mobile security.
To conclude, mobile analysts claim that only when an enterprise understands its mobile goals and stops following market trends, will it be able to ensure complete mobile device security.
by: Yancy Marry
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