A lost mobile phone may be easy to replace, but the real cost to your business is stolen data. According to the Ponemon Institute, 46% of organisations experienced a data breach because of a lost or stolen mobile device.
We asked our mobile specialist, Shaun Broderick, for his top tips on securing your mobile data:
1. Keep operating systems up to date
McAfee estimate it took 20 years to reach two million malware samples on the PC. It took just five years to do the same on mobile. Keep your phone protected by always installing the latest security and software updates for your iOS or Android operating system.
2. Establish a device usage policy
Before issuing smartphones or tablets to your employees, establish a device usage policy. Provide clear rules about what constitutes acceptable use. Include what actions will follow if employees violate the policy. It is important that employees understand the security risks of smartphone use and how they can mitigate those risks. Well informed, responsible users are your first line of defence.
3. Establish a Bring Your Own Device policy (BYOD)
If you allow employees to use their personal devices for company business, make sure you have a formal BYOD policy in place. Your BYOD security plan should also include the following:
- Installing remote wiping software on any personal device used to store or access company data.
- Educating and training employees on how to safeguard company data when they access it from their own devices.
- Informing employees about the exact protocol they must follow for a lost or stolen device.
4. Backup device content on a regular basis
- Installing remote wiping software on any personal device used to store or access company data.
- Educating and training employees on how to safeguard company data when they access it from their own devices.
- Informing employees about the exact protocol they must follow for a lost or stolen device.
Just as you back up computer data regularly, you should also backup data on your company’s mobile devices. If a device is lost or stolen, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your valuable data is safe.
5. Invest in Mobile Device Management software (MDM)
MDM software provides IT managers or administrators with centralised control over devices in the cloud. Administrators can dictate what applications and websites are allowed on the corporate mobile devices as well as offering remote wipe capabilities. NTE offers industry-leading MDM, MobiControl as part of its monthly business mobile tariffs.
Speak to us today about MobiControl device management software
From just a few pounds per month, per user, our flexible MDM platform provides complete control over the security and management of your company’s mobile devices.
Contact our mobile specialist, Shaun Broderick, today to learn more about MobiControl and NTE’s latest business mobile deals.
