Within any organization, it is critical that every mobile device in use is also properly secured. But when numerous different types of devices are in use within an organization, managing them can be complex. In such a situation, how do you ensure that you maintain control over devices in circulation, who is using them and whether their cybersecurity is up to par?
Organizations that operate a fleet consisting of many different types of mobile devices face several challenges when it comes to the security of that fleet:
- Different operating systems. Diversity of operating systems means diversity of security measures needed. Each system has its own unique vulnerabilities that must be adequately addressed.
- Different device types. Hardware differences between devices create the need for customization in optimally securing the entire fleet.
- Overview and governance. Especially when large groups of users are involved, managing a diverse fleet of devices, and control over the security of the entire fleet, quickly becomes challenging.
BYOD, CYOD, and COPE
To complicate things further, many organizations nowadays offer BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) services to their employees, enabling them to use any device they prefer for business purposes. Organizations that don’t, often offer CYOD (Choose Your Own Device), meaning employees can choose which kind of mobile device they would prefer to use from an extensive list of possibilities.
A third option is COPE (Company Owned, Personally Enabled), meaning that while the organization does supply the mobile device, employees are permitted to use that device for personal ends, within set boundaries.
Whichever of these policies your organization has in place, they all contribute to diversifying your mobile device fleet, creating complexity regarding the cybersecurity of that fleet. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are aware of this complexity and therefore like to set their sights on organizations with a mixed set of mobile devices. The likelihood of vulnerabilities is then high. In doing so, they are often looking for an entry point that provides access to large amounts of sensitive data.
Cyber criminals try to spot large data streams
At any organization, more and more data flows through mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This involves data that remains within the organization, but also communication with suppliers and customers.
The larger an organization, the greater the potential goldmine of valuable data that cybercriminals can intercept. The more different types of devices in use within that organization, the more likely it is that one such type of device is not optimally protected.
Cybercriminals therefore try to spot large data streams within organizations with a diverse fleet of mobile devices. If they find a vulnerability, they may be able to gain access to all of that organization's confidential data. After all, that data is worth a lot of money, because without it the organization cannot function.
Solution: device management with a unified approach
To overcome these challenges, it is crucial for organizations to have one unified approach when it comes to mobile device management. Even when working with an extensively diverse fleet of devices with different features and operating systems.
To achieve that unified approach, it is important to use a device management system that is equipped to manage a diverse fleet of mobile devices. This enables security staff to keep a grip and control over the entire fleet without losing overview.
Within that device management – even if there are numerous different types of devices under management – strict guidelines can be implemented in a practical manner regarding the cybersecurity of the mobile devices. But what features should that cybersecurity solution ideally include?
Features of robust mobile fleet security
Top quality mobile fleet security meets the following key features, among others:
- Multi-layered security. This ensures that malicious parties must always breach multiple layers of security before they can access sensitive data. Our latest mobile device management solution supports as many as twelve layers of security.
- Secure communications. End-to-end encryption of communications ensures that intercepted messages cannot be opened by cybercriminals. Only at the intended receiving end is the secure communication decrypted again. It is important to set this up not only for text communication, but also for other types of communication, such as audio messages.
- One central dashboard. Device management ultimately remains partly human work. Whatever solution you employ, one central, understandable, intuitive dashboard is a crucial factor for success. When security staff must work with unpractical dashboards, it's just a matter of time before the first human error causes a security breach.
- Multicontainer support. Privacy laws in Europe do not allow for organizations to grant themselves unlimited access to mobile devices used by staff. Certainly not if such a device is allowed (limited) use for private purposes as well. This is why multicontainer support, which allows business and private data to be easily separated within one device, is indispensable nowadays. Effective security policies can then be implemented on the business container within the device.
These are just some of the features that modern device management solutions should include if they are to provide organizations with adequate protection against the threats of cybercriminals. High-quality device management is fundamental in protecting sensitive data and minimizing potential security risks. Is your organization's device management not yet optimally equipped against all of today's threats? Then make top-notch device management a top priority today.