By Nemanja Krstić, Operations Manager – managed security services at Galix
SINCE the pandemic, companies have become a lot more open to individuals using their personal devices for business purposes.
However, this introduces an additional layer of complexity and risk when it comes to security. When personal devices have access to sensitive and potentially mission-critical business information, it becomes imperative that they are not only secured effectively but that people are fully aware of appropriate behaviours and practices.
For many businesses, this can be a significant challenge; however, as it requires specialised skills and tools, engaging with a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) can be beneficial in ensuring that mobile security threats do not become the weakest link in your security chain.
Drawing the line
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has become common practice in today’s world, and while this offers a level of freedom to employees, it also comes with additional risks for business. Clicking on suspicious links, browsing on unsecured networks, and installing applications from unauthorised sources are all actions many people take without thinking, and when using a personal device, they feel at liberty to do so.
The problem is that these behaviours could infect devices with malware or expose you to ransomware, and on a device that has access to company infrastructure and storage, this has the potential to spread into the company environment.
In addition, mobile devices are easily lost or stolen, which puts company-related applications with access to corporate infrastructure into the wrong hands.
With access to senior or an executive personnel’s mobile device, it also makes it easier for those with malicious intent to impersonate them and exploit the information contained on the devices for criminal gain.
Better managed for mitigated risk
Built-in security measures on mobile devices are insufficient, particularly from a corporate perspective. It has become imperative to better manage mobile devices to enable businesses to react quicker to mobile security threats, and Mobile Device Management (MDM) has become an important part of a comprehensive endpoint security management solution.
MDM offers functionality such as remote wipe capabilities so that devices can be wiped of all company-related information or completely reset to factory default if they are lost or stolen.
It also enables enhanced access control and identity management on top of multi-factor authentication by detecting which network you are connecting from, the MAC address, and your IP address, and comparing this to standard behaviours to flag anything outside of these parameters.
Working with an expert partner
Effective and comprehensive IT security has never been more important, but it has also never been more complex.
Many businesses simply do not have the capacity to take on an in-house IT security team, which means MSSPs are the ideal partner to help mitigate a variety of security threats, including mobile risks. MSSPs can provide guidance on the next best steps for securing the mobile device environment as well as in developing detailed and comprehensive BYOD policies.
Should a device be compromised, they can provide the necessary capacity and skill set required, to ensure organisations can encrypt and remotely wipe the device, following best practices to ensure that access to company data and networks remains secure.
