Employee mobile device security is something that every company should constantly be monitoring to ensure that any vulnerabilities are easily fixable in the event of a breach. Given how much time we spend on our phones for personal and work-related needs, companies need to have rules to keep their data safe. If you need some guidance on the following topics, read on!
- Understand Your Company’s Security Policy
Find out what your company’s mobile device security policies are, and review them regularly to see if they still fit your company’s needs. If they’ve changed, talk to your manager and HR/tech department to better understand exactly what you’re allowed to do on your phone while at work and what you’re not permitted to do.
- Know the Vulnerabilities That Could Affect You
By browsing our list of top five mobile operating system vulnerabilities, you learn about any vulnerabilities that could affect you. In addition, you’ll be able to see which operating systems are secure or vulnerable and adjust your mobile device security settings accordingly.
- Set Up a Mobile Device Management System
Think about setting up a system that enables you to use your company’s IT department to remotely wipe all of your mobile devices (i.e., remotely wipe all sensitive data from those devices), and set up the necessary security features that allow you to limit what you can and cannot do on those devices. This ensures a level of expertise that can ensure that the smartphone you bring home isn’t a security risk for your family and will not be used for anything other than work-related tasks.
- Sign Up for Mobile Security Alerts
Sign up for mobile device security alerts from reputable companies, such as Lookout, so that you can quickly track and fix any vulnerabilities or issues with your phone. Many modern devices offer security features that inform you exactly when something wrong is happening to your phone.
- Get Rid of Any Malicious Apps Right Away!
It’s important to remember that malware can be just as dangerous on a mobile device as on a desktop computer, so it’s essential to keep an eye on apps that could expose sensitive data or even harm your files and the data stored in your company’s servers.
- Use a Good Mobile Security App
If you’re looking for an app that will protect your mobile device from malware and viruses, Lookout is a good choice. Lookout is also available on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store if you’re looking for an app that will work across multiple devices. Lookout also offers a personal edition of its app if you only ever want to scan your devices when they are at home or work.
- Don’t Share Your Phone Number
If you don’t want people to have direct access to your mobile device, don’t share your phone number with anyone. This is especially important if you use a company phone for work and personal reasons. If you need to give out your number, make sure that your voicemail is set up in a way that automatically transcribes any messages or emails from a person who calls/SMS and also emails the transcription to you (just in case the voicemail is too long).
- Beware of Phishing Scams
Beware of phishing scams, which attempt to trick you into giving out personal information to fraudsters online. These scams can happen in several different ways, such as through email messages that appear to come from legitimate companies. If you’re ever unsure about what information is being requested from you, always double-check with your HR/tech team before giving out any sensitive information.
- Use Strong Passwords for Company and Personal Devices
Ensure that your work and personal passwords are substantial (using a minimum of eight characters). If you’d like a little help with creating a strong password, you can use PasswordMaker.
- Don’t Leave Your Phone Unattended
If you’re taking a quick break from work, don’t leave your phone unattended while you go to the bathroom or decide to step out of the building for a few minutes. If someone comes across your phone in that timeframe, they could tamper with it or even take it without your knowledge! So, stay safe by keeping your phone at hand or locking it with a screen lock when needed.
- Set Your Phone to Remain Idle When on Power Saver Mode
When you’re on a power saver mode, like when your phone has its alarm set or if it is deducting battery life, make sure you’re entirely not using it. This helps to prevent someone from accessing the phone and using it for malicious reasons.
- Monitor Mobile Device Security History
Create a company mobile device security log to monitor when your devices were last used and accessed by anyone who wasn’t you or me.
- Understand Your Company’s Mobile Device Security Policy
Make sure to understand if there are any specific rules and regulations for your company regarding mobile device security. You must follow your company’s policies so that you don’t accidentally put yourself and the company at risk of a breach.
- Disable Push Notifications for Apps You Don’t Use Regularly
Disable push notifications for apps you don’t regularly use because they can be distracting and might tempt you to check on them even when it isn’t needed to do so, which could result in your phone being misused.
- Use a Passcode Before Leaving Access to Company Mobile Devices
Check with your HR or IT team if there’s anything you should do to make it more difficult for anyone else to access the mobile devices in your office. You don’t want to leave these devices open for anyone who might wish to misuse them.
- Consider Adding Location and Verifying Sensitive App Data
When you’re using sensitive apps and planning on using those apps in the future, you might want to consider adding your location or getting specific data about an app to verify it before being used.
- Shut Down Permanently If You Leave Your Phone Unattended
If you leave your phone unattended for an extended period (even if you don’t think anyone has tampered with it), be sure to wipe the screen lock button on your phone and turn off the device completely. This will ensure that nobody can access the device when you’re not close by to do so.
- Use Smart Spaces to Prevent Unauthorized Access
If you trust that your networks are secure enough, turn on intelligent spaces to prevent unauthorized access. This will allow you to allow access to your phone while it’s in the authorized area and disable that access once you leave that space.
- Set a Screen Lock on Your Mobile Device
A screen lock is one of the most critical settings to have enabled on your device because it will prevent someone from accessing your phone without your knowledge or consent. You can also disable functions like location tracking or data storage (or from being accessed) after hours as part of a security setting.
- Turn Off Bluetooth
Turn off Bluetooth or put your phone on airplane mode if you don’t need to be connected to anything else, as this is an easy way to prevent anyone from accessing your information.
- Don’t Forget That Even If You Have a Mobile Device Management Solution in Place, There Has to be Infrastructure in Place to Support it!
Mobile device management isn’t something you can ship with the initial rollout of a new product, service, or app. Instead, you have to make sure there is a stable environment in place that can handle this management. Keep this in mind when creating a mobile device security plan.
- Use an Anti-Malware/Anti-Virus App on Your Mobile Device
Make sure your mobile device has an anti-malware or anti-virus app on it and all other devices you use to access company information/data. It’s also important to regularly update these apps as needed because they will change and adapt over time. If an app isn’t compatible with an update, it’s essential to get help from your IT team first before updating the app yourself (without their approval).
- Disable Unnecessary Functionality
Go into settings and disable apps or features you don’t need on your device. This can help keep your phone safe from potential hackers.
- Never Share Sensitive Information Through Email
Never share sensitive information through email, as this could lead to a security threat, which is something you want to avoid at all costs! Instead, use an application like OneDrive or Dropbox to share files and folders securely between devices. If you’re sharing information via email, ensure you send it over secure channels.
