3 Ways Employers are Securing Mobile Apps and Devices in the Workplace

Businesses small and large have to be concerned about their own cyber security. Data breaches are on the rise, and it’s easier for hackers to infiltrate a business due to the widespread use of mobile devices.

Some businesses allow their employees to bring their own devices (BYOD) to work, too.

There are a lot of risks with the BYOD trend that a lot of small businesses are not prepared to take. Risks exist on:

·         Mobile devices

·         Third-party apps

·         Laptops

·         Tablets

Every device that is allowed to connect to a business’ network poses a potential risk. One way to protect against these risks, financially, is cyber insurance, which helps businesses absorb the costs.

The global average cost of a data breach was $3.8 million in 2018. Can your business absorb those costs? If not, there are ways to help protect your mobile apps and devices in the workplace to lower the risk of a cyber-attack being successful.

1. Policy and Training for App Downloads

Employers that incorporate policies and training to employees can reduce risks of a data breach. Education is key, and it’s important that employees know the risks of downloading apps. Mobile apps are the “wild west,” claims McAfee.

Apps are hard to control, and they may be malicious.

Mobile operating systems have different controls on what apps can and cannot do. Some phones are also jailbroken, so they pose an even higher risk of a data breach. App developers could, for example, gain access to the user’s photo library, but if the user is using the device to take photos of a prototype, this may give away trade secrets.

2. Scan Internal Mobile Apps for Security Vulnerabilities

Third-party apps bring a slew of potential vulnerabilities, but businesses can gain back much of this control through custom apps. Custom apps allow the developer to scan coding for security vulnerabilities.

Facebook’s app neglected to encrypt user login data, and this is Facebook – the world’s largest social media company.

OWASP offers guidelines for developers that secure apps. Knowing the most common vulnerabilities can further strengthen the app. Risks and mistakes that are most common, include:

·         Insecure data storage

·         Client-side injection

·         Improper session handling

·         Cryptography issues

3. Install Security Apps

Businesses need to be careful with which apps their employees install and use, but these same apps can also help strengthen device security.  Anti-virus and malware apps are good options to start, and these would include Avast!

Kaspersky also offers a mobile malware protection app. The app has a feature that is designed to stop phishing attacks and also the theft of personal information.

Lookout is another leading app that will scan entire devices and look for infections or risks of personal information being stolen. There are anti-theft abilities that also backup all of the device’s data on secure servers.

Hackers will work hard to infiltrate the world’s biggest businesses, but the hacks that work most often are the easiest to correct. Through stricter policy controls and security apps, it’s possible to lower the risk of a cyber-attack on your business.