It's no secret that mobile devices are vulnerable to security threats, and it's essential for IT departments and CISOs to take mobile security seriously. To protect against data and identity theft, viruses, hackers, and other threats, there are several common methods and best practices that can be used to secure mobile devices. First and foremost, it's important to avoid using public or free Wi-Fi networks. While these networks may be convenient, they can also be a huge security breach.
There are many tools available to novice hackers that can intercept traffic flowing through Wi-Fi and access valuable information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, passwords, and other private data. It's also important to select a cloud platform that maintains a history of versions of your files and allows you to return to those previous versions for at least the last 30 days. Google's G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, and Dropbox all support this feature. After those 30 days have elapsed, deleted files or previous versions are permanently gone.
Mobile application management is another key component of mobile security. This involves configuring, monitoring, and managing the applications on mobile devices. This includes things like Microsoft 365 and authentication apps. It's also a good idea to turn off antennas that are not in use and ensure that security settings are configured to prevent unauthorized WiFi access.
Ideally, mobile security policies should cover acceptable use, anti-theft measures, mandatory security settings, etc. It's also a good practice to classify mobile device users into role-based groups with varying levels of access privileges. Finally, it's important to remember that when it comes to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) situations, companies should have a security policy in place that includes strictly controlled remote blocking and deletion policies. This policy should also include awareness training and strong security policies.
IT security is an ever-evolving field, so it's important for companies to stay up-to-date on the latest threats and best practices for securing mobile devices.
