Securing Your Modern Workplace: The Case for Mobile Device Management

The modern business relies heavily on mobile devices to connect, collaborate, and access essential information. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and IoT are now integral tools for employees, allowing them to work from virtually anywhere at any time in a way that suits them.

While this shift towards mobility enhances productivity, it poses significant security challenges for organizations of all sizes. An increasing number of devices, networks, apps, and accounts in use company-wide introduces more complexity and uncertainty.

When devices and apps are left unmanaged, business owners and IT find themselves in a reactive rather than proactive stance for organizational cybersecurity, which is why a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution is critical to bringing order to the chaos, mitigating risks, and regulating the mobile workforce with standardized security policies and procedures. This is true for any company, regardless of company size, as we recently unpacked in the webinar, Migrating to Modern IT with Mobile Device Management.

The security challenges of unmanaged devices

Every device represents a potential entry point for cybercriminals. Vulnerabilities, bugs, poor security hygiene, misconfigurations, and lack of user awareness are just some of the ways unmanaged devices can put sensitive corporate data at risk, which ultimately puts the company's financial health in jeopardy, too.

Unmanaged devices introduce a range of endpoint vulnerabilities that can pose notable security risks. Cybercriminals can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, compromise sensitive data, disrupt business operations, and steal money. When IT security teams lack visibility into and control over mobile device usage, these and other security threats can't be addressed.

The most common security challenges introduced by unsecured mobile devices:

• Data leakage: Smartphones and tablets are prone to physical security risks. Critical business information may get into the wrong hands through accidental loss, theft, or other unauthorized access, compromising data even if the device has password or PIN protection.
• Malware infections: Unmanaged devices are more susceptible to malware, including viruses, ransomware, and spyware. Users may inadvertently download malicious software or visit compromised websites, allowing cybercriminals to infiltrate the device and the corporate network.
• Outdated software and operating systems: Failing to apply security patches and updates exposes these devices to known vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Cybercriminals frequently target devices with unpatched software as they represent low-hanging fruit for exploitation.
• Weak authentication and password practices: Weak or easily guessable passwords create opportunities for unauthorized access. Passwords reused across multiple accounts also increase the risk of credential compromise since the breach of one third-party service can give cybercriminals access to other accounts.
• Lack of encryption: When sensitive data lacks proper encryption, it's more vulnerable to theft or unauthorized access. Without encryption, data stored on the device or transmitted over networks becomes an attractive target for cybercriminals.
• Unsecured Wi-Fi connections: Whether employees connect to public or private networks, unsecured Wi-Fi exposes their devices to man-in-the-middle attacks. Cyberthieves can intercept and manipulate sensitive data as it travels between the device and the web. From there, they can compromise accounts, steal proprietary information, and escalate privileges to infiltrate the organization further.
• Unauthorized applications and services: Without oversight of all apps across the organization, employees may download apps with security vulnerabilities or introduce malicious functionalities, compromising the overall security of the device and the network it connects to.
• Absence of consistent security proficiency: Without centralized control, organizations can't ensure that devices adhere to specific security configurations, increasing the risk of non-compliance with industry security standards, which can result in hefty fines and reputational damage. Few employees can comprehensively and consistently secure their devices with the proper settings. Lack of user awareness increases the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks, such as phishing, which can compromise device security.

The role of MDM in mitigating cybersecurity risks

When integrated into an organization's security strategy, a Mobile Device Management solution can address these endpoint vulnerabilities. Securing unmanaged devices is integral to maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture. An MDM platform empowers organizations to take control of their mobile device ecosystem, mitigating the risks associated with a mobile workforce while retaining its many benefits.

Critical functions filled by an MDM solution include:

• Device configuration and policy enforcement: Organizations can establish and enforce security policies across all devices. IT security can centrally configure password requirements, encryption, and application permissions, ensuring a consistent and secure environment. As a result, mobile devices connecting to corporate and private networks can meet security standards and not threaten the overall corporate infrastructure.
• Remote monitoring and management: Lost or stolen device? MDM allows for remote tracking, locking, and even wiping sensitive data. This capability ensures that the organization can swiftly protect its data even if a device is compromised.
• Application management: IT can control the installation and usage of applications on mobile devices, preventing the introduction of potentially harmful apps and reducing the risk of malware infections.
• Compliance monitoring: MDM solutions provide tools for monitoring and ensuring compliance with industry-specific regulations. Regulatory compliance helps prevent legal repercussions and instills confidence in customers and partners.
• Encryption of sensitive data: While capabilities may vary across devices and platforms, MDMs allow admins to enforce policies related to data encryption. Encryption can be activated as part of the device onboarding process to protect data stored on the device, such as emails, files, and application data.
• Separation of business and personal: An MDM solution’s "containerization of data" allows organizations to maintain control and security over business-related information without compromising personal data privacy on the same device. This separation ensures that business emails, documents, and other corporate information are stored securely. They won't intermingle with photos, messages, or other personal content. An MDM solution helps prevent the accidental or unauthorized leakage of sensitive business information while respecting the privacy and autonomy of personal data.

Embracing MDM for securing the mobile workforce

As organizations embrace mobility and mobile devices, device security is no longer optional; it's essential. Just as businesses have much to gain from equipping employees to work from anywhere on any device, they also have much to lose from the financial and reputational fallout of any cybersecurity incident. The risks associated with unmanaged devices require a comprehensive and practical approach.

An MDM solution like GoTo Resolve systematically mitigates threats posed by mobile devices by giving IT centralized visibility into and management of all devices in use and their unique conditions. Remote monitoring, centralized app inventory and management, enforceable policies, and automated maintenance equip IT to protect endpoints and close security gaps efficiently. In sum, MDM empowers an organization to leverage the benefits of a mobile workforce while safeguarding the integrity and security of all its digital assets.

Be sure to check out the webinar replay, Migrating to Modern IT with Mobile Device Management (MDM), for expert advice on how GoTo Resolve MDM can provide simple, secure, and flexible support and management of all devices necessary to run your modern workplace.