As companies continue to commit to a remote workforce, mobile initiatives are a top priority for enterprises to improve operations and productivity. However, threat attackers are using attack techniques to exploit mobile devices that access enterprise systems from remote locations.
And managing mobile security threats have become a central objective as organizations face new and emerging vulnerabilities. Consequently, IT teams need to secure a growing variety of endpoints and threats to protect organizations from a data breach. Let’s look at the well-known threats in enterprise mobility and how to overcome them.
Popular Enterprise Mobile Security Threats
1. Social Engineering
Social engineering is perhaps the most overlooked mobile security threat. It is a broad range of malicious activities carried out through human interactions. Phishing is one of the most common social engineering attack vectors. Bad actors send emails or text messages (smishing) with malicious links to trick employees into sharing private information.
How to counter social engineering attacks?
Employee training and awareness are key to reducing the number of social engineering attacks. Teach them to do research about the sender before sending personal information or passwords.
2. Unsecured Public Wi-Fi
People often use free public Wi-Fi connections to catch up on work, check their work emails, and access online accounts. Public Wi-Fi can leave people vulnerable for different reasons because there is no way to know who set the network up or who is currently monitoring it unless they have secured their connection with VPN encryption.
Cybercriminals set up Wi-Fi networks that appear authentic but are a front to hijack data passing through their system. Security experts call this a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack. A MitM attack can occur on different systems, but mobile devices – BYOD connected to an unsecured Wi-Fi network – are more vulnerable to such attacks.
How to manage risks from unsecured Wi-Fi connections?
Make sure that employees use a VPN to access company files or systems. VPN uses encryption to create a secure connection over unsecured networks to protect company data and user access to that data.
Security teams can use Scalefusion to configure VPNs on Android devices to ensure sessions stay private and secure, even if employees use public Wi-Fi to access company systems.
3. Poor Password Hygiene
Relying on simple or poor passwords is a recipe for data breaches, account takeovers and other forms of cyberattacks. According to research by NordPass, the word “password” is still the most popular and misused password across most industries, including retail, eCommerce, energy, finance, and even IT.
How to improve password security?
As per the latest NIST digital identity guidelines, the length of the password (rather than its complexity) is a crucial security measure. All user-generated passwords must be at least 8 characters in length. The guidelines also suggest locking users out of password-protected programs if they use an incorrect password multiple times.
MDM lets IT administrators create strong password policies for mobile devices so that users stand by the enforced password criteria and generate strong passwords. Teams can also employ two-factor or multi-factor authentication to access mobile company applications.
4. Malicious Apps
Like desktop computers, mobile devices are also vulnerable to application threats. Mobile Apps have access to confidential data, and any threat could compromise the data through unauthorized access.
How to manage mobile apps?
Companies can leverage Scalefusion’s mobile application management capability to restrict certain apps that are unsafe or inappropriate for organization use. On the other hand, IT admins can authorize apps that are deemed safe and users get to access only these specific applications.
5. Lost or Stolen Mobile Devices
Research conducted by Deloitte’s forensics team shows that personal and work information can be retrieved from stolen or lost mobile devices, including smartphones and tablet devices.
As Colm McDonell, Partner, Risk Advisory Services, Deloitte emphasizes: “…the results clearly show the very real need for both organizations and individuals alike to protect their data and maximize privacy.”
That’s because in 90% of cases it was possible to identify the owners’ email addresses. Mobile technology has been beneficial in the mobile workplace, but organizations have to balance the opportunities with the risks of a corporate data breach.
How to protect data from unauthorized access?
- Put a passcode on the BYOD on the COPE device
- Enable the remote wipe facility if possible
- Keep a record of the IMEI number
Wrapping Up
The remote and mobile workforce has now become the new normal for enterprises. And with the increasing number of mobile devices, employees accessing data through open networks, and the ever-present threat of cyber attacks, a solid mobile security solution is desperately needed. With Scalefusion’s mobile device management solution, companies can ensure data protection from these looming threats.
