Creating mobile security urgency during this year's Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Globally, nearly 90% of all cellular phones are smartphones, which makes this year's Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme very relevant to mobile security. So much of how we work today involves our mobile devices, which are central to communication and have transformed our lives and work. Our mobile devices are by our side 24/7 and are integral to our daily lives. Keeping these devices secure is central to securing our world.
So much of how we work today is central to our phones, which is why mobile devices have become prime targets for cybercriminals. It's important to raise awareness of the rapidly evolving mobile threat landscape and how it's keeping pace with the increase in mobile usage.
Mobile devices often store vast amounts of sensitive data, making them the fastest-growing target for threat adversaries. Mobile threats are sophisticated and successfully penetrate organizations through smishing attacks, vulnerabilities, malicious apps, and spyware. Once a mobile device is compromised, it can easily move laterally, with widespread consequences for organizations.
It's not a question of if a mobile device will lead to a corporate breach; it's a question of when it will happen. With 71% of employees' phones containing corporate credentials, it's important to ensure that all mobile devices, both BYOD and corporate devices, have mobile security.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month initiatives allow us to highlight the importance of mobile security. Now is a great time to make a list of how to keep your mobile devices safe. For example, do not use public Wi-Fi, your boss is not asking you to send him gift cards or reset his password, and keep your phone's operating system current.
It's also a great time to debunk some of the common myths about mobile security, including:
Mobile device security doesn't impact enterprise IT security: Mobile devices are endpoints like any other endpoint and are often used for identity and access management. If an adversary gains access, they can use those credentials to move laterally into an organization.
MDM equals mobile security. In fact, it is a management tool, not a security tool. While it offers the ability to manage data and applications, it does nothing to prevent smishing or adversaries from implanting sophisticated mobile malware. Without a mobile security solution, an MDM is nothing more than an inventory tool.
Security and privacy don't go hand in hand: In truth, premium security is possible without sacrificing privacy. iVerify's Mobile BYOD solution is a privacy-first app designed to ensure only essential data is gathered and processed. It never accesses personal data, so there is no trade-off between employee privacy and security.
Looking ahead, cybersecurity teams need to stay ahead of emerging challenges by acknowledging the risk of mobile devices and how they can jeopardize an organization's security. They should look to implement mobile security programs to keep employees and the company safe.
