As mobile devices become increasingly integral to our daily work and personal lives, the security challenges they present are more critical than ever. Daniël Datau, Senior Business Development Manager at Fox Crypto, specializing in government and defense, shares his insights on the growing need for robust mobile security solutions.
In this article, we discuss the rising risks associated with mobile device usage, especially smartphones, and how organizations can address these threats proactively. From the blurred lines between personal and work-related mobile use to practical steps organizations can take, Daniël's perspective sheds light on the complexity of securing mobile devices.
The rising risk of mobile devices in the workplace
The rise of mobile device usage, particularly smartphones, in organizational contexts has significantly impacted cybersecurity. While many companies focus on securing work laptops and desktops, smartphones often fly under the radar. Daniël explains: "The problem with smartphones is that people view them as personal, private devices. It's something they own, so they're less inclined to see them as part of their professional infrastructure. This disconnect between personal and work use is a major security risk, as sensitive information can easily be shared unknowingly."
The challenge becomes even more complex when organizations don’t provide smartphones for work purposes. Employees often turn to using their personal phones for work-related tasks, which creates a dangerous overlap of private and sensitive business data.
Securing mobile devices: Current challenges
Many organizations struggle to secure data on mobile devices. Daniël outlines that a common challenge is the lack of awareness about the types of sensitive data that might be stored or transmitted through smartphones. Without a clear understanding of what information is being used on these devices, many companies remain blind to the risks.
"The first step for any organization is to identify where sensitive data is being stored and used. Without this understanding, you are already behind in securing your mobile infrastructure," he advises. While some organizations do implement mobile security solutions, such as mobile device management (MDM) software, the effectiveness of these measures varies depending on the company’s size and security needs.
The need for a proactive approach to mobile security
Daniël emphasizes that a proactive approach to mobile security is essential. Reactive security measures—such as responding to incidents after they've occurred—are simply not enough in today's fast-paced digital environment.
"If you're not proactively monitoring and managing mobile devices, you're essentially waiting for a problem to arise. That’s not the best way to secure sensitive information. The tools exist to monitor and detect issues before they escalate into a breach," Daniël explains.
By implementing solutions such as MDM and monitoring and detection software, organizations can not only secure their mobile devices but also gain real-time visibility into potential threats. This proactive stance can prevent hackers from gaining access to sensitive information and reduce the risk of data breaches. This is one way to secure mobile devices, there are many more ways to do so. Daniel adds: “There’s no such thing as too much security when it comes to smartphones, because they are the perfect espionage devices—especially when sensitive or classified information is at risk."
Fox Crypto's Secure Mobile solution
Fox Crypto offers a tailored approach to mobile security through its Secure Mobile solution, designed to meet the needs of organizations handling sensitive or classified information. Fox Crypto's solution helps businesses secure their mobile infrastructure through a combination of hardware, software, and expert advisory services "At Fox Crypto, we work with organizations that are already aware of the importance of securing their sensitive or classified data. Our role is to offer them the best solutions for their specific needs. This could be anything from managing the devices and ensuring the right software is installed and configured, to providing full control and monitoring of the devices with encrypted messaging and file-sharing services. We provide this together with trusted partners who have impeccable reputations in our industry." Daniël says.
Creating awareness across all sectors
In sectors defense, where protection of classified information is critical, mobile security takes on an even greater significance. Daniël mentions that governmental bodies, from national to local authorities, are increasingly recognizing the need for secure mobile solutions. "Governmental organizations handle a wealth of sensitive data—especially when it comes to citizens’ personal information. These organizations are under increasing pressure to secure their mobile devices and protect that data from external threats," he says.
However, it’s not just about high-security sectors. More businesses, even those that don’t deal with classified information, are realizing the risks associated with mobile device usage and the need for secure mobile solutions. "It’s not just the government and defense sectors that need secure mobile solutions. Many industries, including those handling personal or company valuable data, must also address this issue. It’s not enough to just assume that because your data isn’t classified (yet), it’s not valuable to hackers," he warns.
Daniël believes that mobile security will continue to rise in importance as more businesses move towards mobile-first environments. The integration of mobile devices in everyday work tasks means the risks will only increase unless businesses take the necessary steps now.