Mobile security tips to keep your employees safe

Mobile devices have become essential tools for business productivity. From accessing sensitive company data to managing communications on the go, employees are relying more than ever on their smartphones and tablets to stay connected and efficient.

However, mobile devices also present new security challenges. The ESET Threat Report H1 2024 highlighted troublesome Android financial malware, threats that steal facial recognition data for deep fake fraud, phishing scams, and more. For businesses, the risk of data breaches, phishing attacks, and malware infections through mobile devices is significant, as with lots of mobile devices, the attack surface expands significantly.

Nonetheless, there is a solution: Prevention. A key principle at ESET is that we believe a prevention-first approach, which prioritizes stopping threats before they even enter a network, is crucial to preventing threats from escalating into costly material incidents. By adopting this mindset and strategy, businesses can shrink their attack surface and strengthen their defenses, ensuring mobile devices remain secure tools for productivity rather than weak links in their security chain.

Preventing mobile threats

Below are essential mobile security tips to help protect your employees—and by extension, your organization—from evolving cyberthreats.

1. Implement a Strong Mobile Device Management (MDM) Solution

A Mobile Device Management solution is critical for securing and managing employee devices across your organization. It enables businesses to enforce security policies, monitor device usage, and remotely lock or wipe a device if it is lost or stolen. It also allows for centralized control of apps, software updates, and access permissions, ensuring that each device complies with company security protocols.

2.  Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication is a straightforward but effective security measure that requires employees to verify their identity using two or more authentication methods, such as a one-time password and or a fingerprint scan. By adding this extra layer of security, you can ensure that only authorized users gain access to sensitive company information.

3. Encourage the use of secure networks

Public Wi-Fi networks are notoriously insecure and a common entry point for cybercriminals. Instead of connecting to public Wi-Fi when accessing company resources, provide your employees with secure alternatives such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). It encrypts internet traffic, making it harder for hackers to intercept sensitive data.

4.  Regularly update devices and applications

Outdated software is a major vulnerability in mobile security. Cybercriminals often exploit known weaknesses in outdated operating systems and applications to launch attacks. Ensure that your employees regularly update their devices and applications, or better yet, automate the update process through your MDM solution.

5. Encrypt sensitive data

Encryption is a must for securing sensitive business information. Whether data is being stored or transmitted, it should be encrypted to ensure that even if a device is compromised, the data remains secure. Modern mobile devices often have built-in encryption features, which can be enforced and managed through your MDM. This is particularly important for industries dealing with highly sensitive information, such as finance and healthcare.

6. Educate employees on mobile security threats

No matter how advanced your security systems are, employee awareness is key to preventing mobile security incidents. Regularly educate your workforce on the latest mobile security threats such as phishing, malware, and social engineering attacks. Training sessions should include best practices for identifying suspicious emails or messages and knowing what steps to take if a device is lost or compromised.

7. Use Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) solutions

Mobile Threat Defense solutions provide additional layers of protection by detecting and mitigating threats such as malware, network attacks, and app vulnerabilities in real-time. In an age where mobile devices are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, MTD is a crucial tool in a business's security arsenal. ESET Mobile Threat Defense not only provides a number of security features such as Anti-malware, Anti-phishing, or Anti-theft, but also comes with seamless deployment and management. Thanks to a single pane of glass view from the ESET PROTECT Platform, you can easily monitor and manage all mobile devices across your business.

8. Limit access to sensitive information

Not all employees need access to every piece of sensitive information your business holds. Implementing the principle of least privilege ensures that users only have access to the data they need to perform their jobs. Role-based access controls (RBAC) can help you enforce these restrictions, providing an additional layer of protection for your business.

Reducing cyber risk

By implementing these mobile security tips—ranging from strong MDM solutions to employee training—you can reduce risk of cyberattacks and safeguard sensitive company data. Cyberthreats are constantly evolving. Prioritizing mobile security means staying one step ahead and maintaining a secure digital environment.

Visit ESET to learn more about the ESET PROTECT Platform and ESET Mobile Device Management solutions.