SMB Mobile Device Security

How to Address SMB Mobile Device Security for Your Business

South Florida workplaces since COVID-19 arrived have been forced to become agile and resilient, and this means leveraging technology and mobile devices to support business continuity. SMB mobile device security is a critical issue in keeping small and midsize businesses (SMBs) running properly. While the convenience of mobile devices offers unprecedented access from anywhere, it also creates a new set of cybersecurity risks.

The risks involved with mobile devices

When workers have their devices with them and are using them for business purposes, they may be accessing critical company information that can be at risk of attack. Even when simply grocery shopping or driving through a Starbucks to grab a coffee, these mobile devices contain cached passwords, email account access, and other gateways to company-owned data that can be stolen. So when a device is lost, stolen or roaming public networks, your company business data is also being compromised.

According to the Mobile Theft and Loss Report, about 69% of smartphone owners misplace their device annually, while 11% are stolen. Furthermore, according to security expert and CEO of Checkpoint Gil Shwed, while companies are allowing their employees use all of the technology targeted in Generation 5 cyberattacks, most are using employing cybersecurity strategies for 3^rd generation attacks that focus on desktop applications, hardware and infrastructure—attacks that first became prevalent in the early 2000’s. So most companies are using security systems built to address 10-20 year-old problems rather than addressing today’s SMB mobile device security strategies. Therefore, securing employees mobile devices used for business is paramount, especially with the recent shift to remote work arrangements during COVID-19.

So how you can you protect mobile devices?

For one, mobile device management (MDM) software can help ease your SMB mobile device security concerns by providing an additional layer of protection to a mobile device, regardless of who owns the device. Once installed, an MDM allows IT admins to configure and adjust device settings and using an MDM via a portal.

What does an MDM do?

MDM solutions present myriad benefits to any company, including the following:

Enable device encryption– MDM establishes encryption on smartphones and tablets in the event someone unauthorized obtains them. This includes the set up of additional layers of protection such as integrating strict password policies and enforcing full disk encryption (FDE).

Lock or delete info from lost or stolen devices– MDM solutions enable anti-theft and data breach prevention once a device is reported stolen or missing. An IT administrator can either remotely locate the device, lock or delete its data completely to prevent anyone from accessing documents, emails, apps and other sensitive company information.

Restrict apps and device features– This technique allows an IT administrator to disable features and vulnerable apps to ensure better security. This includes typical strategies used on computers such as preventing the downloading of malicious apps and blocking employees using company devices from visiting sites that can adversely affect productivity.

Remote deployment of Wi-Fi, VPN, and email configurations– When an employee leaves the company, IT can remotely uninstall the MDM application from their phone or tablet, deleting organizational Wi-Fi and VPN configurations while leaving personal data and apps intact. This is especially useful if your company has a work from home structure or if employees are using their own devices for work.

Remote app deployment and management– This feature eliminates the need for IT to physically access mobile devices to install or uninstall software. In this, employees working remotely can continue working while IT installs security updates and patches. With MDM, IT can even deploy or manage apps for multiple devices simultaneously, saving time and costs.

Does your South Florida company need SMB Mobile Device Security solutions?

As long as your company uses mobile devices to access, share, or manage company data, you should be talking to your IT team about MDM solutions to enhance security in any mobile devices that might be accessing company data.

User Friendly Technology Services specializes in helping SMB’s in South Florida and New York Tri-County areas with not only SMB mobile security solutions but the entire spectrum of IT support, both remote and onsite, with No Contracts or Monthly Fees at extremely competitive hourly rates.

Contact us today to learn more about how User Friendly Technology Services can help your South Florida small business stay protected from data loss and security threats so you can relax knowing your IT infrastructure is secure.

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