Mobile device security risks to business have become a real cyber security nightmare…
Mobile devices have become such a big part of our lives that we can no longer live without them, both at home and at the workplace. For most people, the first and last thing they do every single day is check their phone. According to findings by a 2016 study by Deloitte, 74% of respondents check their phone 15 minutes before they go to sleep and 61% check the phone again 5 minutes after waking up.
We seem to have become inseparable from our smartphones and tablets, giving hackers another avenue for exploitation when they want to break into a company’s network.
Most employees believe their smartphones are secure by default, especially since they are controlled by passwords. However, the truth is that even beginner hackers can get inside your phone in less than 30 seconds and install malware to siphon data from the device.
As the nature and methodology of cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, mobile device security has become an important part of enterprise cyber security. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to consult a team of experts that can provide IT services to your company, like those at RHYNO Networks.
The never-ending proliferation of mobile devices in the workplace presents a more-easily exploitable avenue for hackers and criminals. It is crucial for businesses to secure the data that is passing through or being stored in employees’ mobile devices- that’s where IT services come in.
Types of Mobile Device Security Risks
Risks and challenges posed by mobile devices at the workplace can be categorized into 4 broad areas.
1. Risks Posed by Physical Access to the Device
Mobile devices are small, lightweight, and portable gadgets. While the small compact size makes the devices convenient to carry around, it is quite easy to lose the device in public areas.
To most hackers, physical access to the mobile device is enough to wreak havoc on an entire network. There are even data retrieval software products on the market today that can be used to recover data from a mobile device.
2. Injection of Malicious Code
Most mobile malware threats are accomplished by phishing or social engineering the user to accept and install an application on his or her phone.
The applications may come with malware code attached which can be used to target other areas of the network used by the mobile user. When your company has help from a team that provides IT services on standby, they are able to help resolve any issues that could come from this.
3. Eavesdropping and Communication Interception
Just like other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, when smartphones and tablets are connected to the Wi-Fi network, they are also susceptible to cyber-attacks.
Hackers can easily exploit vulnerabilities in the Wi-Fi network to intercept the communication, eavesdrop on data transmission, and gain access to the company’s entire network.
4. Insider Threats
Mobile devices can also be used by employees to facilitate an attack on the company either inadvertently or for ill motives.
Humans have been recognized as the weakest link in security strategies. Some will even introduce a threat to the network simply by downloading an app on their mobile devices.
It is therefore important to ensure that your staff is educated on the best security practices when using their mobile devices at work.
Protect Your Company With Managed IT Services by RHYNO Networks
RHYNO Networks provides managed end-to-end IT services in King County, WA and the surrounding areas. Our goal is to help you improve efficiency, reduce costs, and protect your company’s data at all times.
Check our website here for more information, whether you are looking for a comprehensive solution or you want to incorporate new technology to your IT infrastructure.
You can also call us at (855) 793-1077 to get a free quote or simply click here to request a free network assessment.
Contact us today to find out how our IT services in King County can help secure your company’s data and avoid expensive downtime.
