Easily Improve Business Mobile Security With These 5 Tips

Businesses in North America spend over $685 billion each year on technology. Generally, this money is spent on things like IT services, software updates and purchasing mobile devices. If your business employs a number of remote workers, having a strong and secure mobile network is a must.

Often times, businesses who employ remote workers will provide them with a number of mobile devices. Not only does providing employees with mobile devices help to ensure they are secure, it can also help you keep track of how productive they are.

While most business owners realize the importance of SNMP monitoring for the discovery of new devices and the mapping of network topology, many of them overlook the importance of mobile network security. Treating the security of your mobile devices and network as an afterthought can come back to haunt you.

Here are some of the things you can do when attempting to increase your company’s mobile security.

1. Each of Your Mobile Devices Needs Anti-Malware Programs

When trying to improve mobile security within your company, the first thing you need to do is put antimalware software on each of your devices. Recent studies show that operating systems like iOS and Android are becoming a common target for hackers.

If you are providing your employees with mobile devices, then you need to ensure they keep their antimalware software updated and on at all times. The last thing you want is to experience a massive data hack, which is why having this software is so important.

2. Data Encryption is a Must

Generally, wireless communications are easy to intercept. Rather than letting this fact prohibit you from using mobile technology, you need to work on encrypting all of the data coming from and going to your devices.

Using a cloud-based server or a VPN is a great way to encrypt your data. With a VPN, you can get the strong encryption you are after, as well as other benefits like strong user authentication and the ability to look at your data logs.

3. Adequately Control Third-Party Software

Before you start handing out mobile devices to your employees, you will need to create policies regarding the use of third-party software. Ideally, you will need to severely limit or block the use of this software due to the problems it can cause. Failing to limit the use of third-party software can lead to your data being hacked via rogue software or unknown backdoors created in the programs.

If you are allowing employees to bring their own devices for work, then requiring them to log into a remote network is essential. Doing this will limit the danger the third-party apps on their devices pose and can help you get a better understanding of how employees are utilizing their time.

4. The Creation of Separate Secured Gateways

Limiting the number of websites and gateways an employee can access via their mobile devices is important. If you are supplying workers with mobile devices, then you need to make sure they are only performing work-related tasks on them. This is why properly structuring both your mobile gateways and network firewalls is essential. Limiting access to potentially hazardous websites can keep your network safer and your employees more productive.

5. Routine Testing is a Great Idea

The only way to know if your mobile security solutions are working is by testing them routinely. Allowing IT professionals to perform a penetration test of your mobile network will provide you with a great deal of useful information. These tests can point out where vulnerabilities are. Once you know where your network weaknesses are, you can take steps to fix them before hackers get their hands on sensitive data.

If you are unsure about how to properly secure your mobile network, working with an IT professional is a good idea. They will be able to help you strengthen network security and offer services like remote monitoring.