Securing your mobile data is extremely important as more corporate data is being communicated via email and mobile applications on mobile devices. Traditional security models don’t perform when considering mobile devices. The IT departments in many organizations can’t simply install applications or programs without permission first. Securing your data involves more than just control and command from one place.
1. Ensure Visibility
The ability to get access to emails on mobile devices, such as iPhones and iPads usually requires turning on ActiveSync. But this means that anyone can get onto your network. Different mobile platforms offer different capabilities for security and control. Find out who is accessing your network and how they are doing so. Once you do, then you can implement control policies and block access based on hardware type, OS version, or compliance status. If you do use ActiveSync, match it with the right tools to ensure optimal network security.
2. Do the Basics
Your mobile device management and security technology should be able to handle a number of different security functions. The requirements that you need are remote lock and wipe, password policy, encryption monitoring, jailbreak and root detection, and device restrictions (e.g., password spoofers).
3. Create Clear Policies and Communicate With Staff
Regardless of whether a mobile device is owned or used by the staff or company for work purposes, there will be both corporate and personal information on each mobile device. Ensure that you communicate any and all data security policies to your employees. Consider how to decide what gets stored or archived on company servers and what gets removed if the policies are violated. Another area to keep in mind is privacy and accessibility. Everyone should be familiar with what IT tracks, monitors, and archives.
4. Ensure That You Secure Everything
Secure more than just your email. Make sure that you can see all of the applications that your staff uses and that you can remove any applications that may be a security threat.
5. Stay Flexible
Try to keep up with new devices that are being introduced to the market. New OS releases will have new features and functionality, which means that there will be new mobile applications and data to secure. Update your security policies as new technologies emerge to secure your mobile data.
Also, you can password protect your mobile device so if it gets into the wrong hands, people won’t be able to access your information.
Great post! I was going to same the same thing, that cellphone did. Password protecting your mobile device, and application will keep it safer. Also I found many people will jailbreak their mobile devices to do something they normally can’t. The problem with this though, is it opens your device to many programs that can be harmful.
I’ve rooted my Android phone and it’s fine. You just have to take the same precautions to avoid being hacked. Also, just like with everything else, it’s useful to discern if the apps you’re installing might be doing something fishy without your knowledge. This should apply whether your device is jailbroken, rooted or not.
You always have to keep your valuables safe with you, especially your modern devices. They surely are a big part of our lives right now because we interact on a daily basis using them gadgets. Security should always be on top of the list. Nothing else shall be higher than that.
Of course password protecting is also another important measure that you can take to make your mobile that much more secure.
However, if all else fails installing a tracking app such as Find my iPhone could also come in handy and really be helpful if the unthinkable happens and your phone gets stolen.
Yes, these security measures are so essential. We just never know when we will lose a phone or have it stolen. Even the thought of losing an unsecured phone is scary; it’s like losing your wallet with all of your money, your credit cards and your ID there for the taking.
I was so happy to get the new Android Device Manager which is essentially Google’s version of Apple’s Find My iPhone. It was just released a few weeks ago, and it has some great features, most of which I hope I will never have to use!
A lot of people don’t think about stuff like this with their phones, despite the risks. A lot of people don’t worry about security until something bites them in the butt for it and they have to in order to prevent them from losing something again.
I can imagine how bad it will be if we lose our phone and someone uses the data in it for theft. What I can’t imagine is having the organisation that you use it with, have its data in its employee’s phone compromised. It’s the kind of thing that is beyond the usual corporate theft I see in the movies.
Really great post. I’ve password protected my mobile and I’ve updated my OS too so that i’ll have better security applications. Thank you for this great post. Very helpful indeed.
It is really important to take this precaution sto ensure that no one will be able to hack around your mobile data carrying your work and personal information. Sad thing though is many of us don’t fully appreciate being proactive in security precautions as this. You may not be rich, but your identity can be stolen from you, and you will lose everything you have, even your name.
I will sheepishly admit that I’m not that concerned about my mobile data even though I should be. I often don’t consider where it goes but it is definitely as important as data from my computer. I will keep an eye on it more carefully from now on.
I don’t think mobile is getting the serious attention it should receive. With pay by phone and pay by mobile phone technology available, the game is not going to be static. Number three is intense.