Top 5 Ways MDM Can Strengthen Your Mobile Device Security

Cyber threats are constantly evolving. 

With each passing year, cybersecurity attacks have become more sophisticated, and today, hackers use a combination of different approaches that successfully target various entry points. In fact, some of these attacks are so sophisticated and successful that they remain undetected and usually come to light when the hacker intentionally points them out for ransomware. 

One such entry point that hackers have shifted their focus towards is mobile devices. According to a recent report, over 58% of CISOs are unprepared for the next wave of attacks. Most cyber threats primarily target mobile devices, and not many businesses have a solution in place to secure their device fleet. 

In this blog, let’s focus on why mobile devices have become the new target for hackers and how you can mitigate security threats and enhance mobile device security with a mobile device management (MDM) solution. 

Why have mobile devices become the primary target for hackers? 

Improving mobile device security is a necessity for businesses today. With most companies adopting a hybrid working model, employees are accessing sensitive company data and applications using networks outside the IT teams’ control. This has created an opportunity for hackers to successfully target and exploit mobile devices, especially if they connect to a public, unsecured wireless network without having an MDM solution or the necessary security policies in place. 

The two main reasons behind this shift in strategy are:

1. No safeguards in place:

   Mobile devices do not have the proper safeguards in place. While laptops and workstations rely on anti-virus software to detect and remove malware and virus threats, mobile devices are often left unsecured, and they don’t have a built-in solution in place to shield them against such attacks.

2. User naivety and negligence:

   Users tend to take their mobile devices for granted, which has resulted in hackers and cyber attackers relying on human error or negligence to create an opening for them. An example of these kinds of attacks includes phishing attacks. Moreover, users tend to connect their devices to unsecure WiFi networks, which can also lead to successful malware and phishing attacks. 

Securing mobile devices is the first line of defense for businesses. With a robust, feature-rich MDM solution like SureMDM, businesses can effectively plug the holes in their mobile device security strategy and safeguard their device ecosystems from cybersecurity threats. 

5 ways MDM solutions can enhance your mobile device security 

1. Provision updates and comply with security policies

MDM solutions can provide a single dashboard to provision operating system updates and security patches for their fleet of devices. But what if devices run on multiple platforms? In that case, choosing a multi-OS MDM solution, like SureMDM, can help simplify the management of different types of devices. SureMDM also empowers businesses to comply with information security guidelines and keep themselves abreast of guideline changes, such as complying with the new NIS2 directive for EU countries. 

2. Offer proactive protection like MTD

MDM solutions offer Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) capabilities, primarily shielding mobile devices from application malware and phishing attacks. This provides an extra layer of protection and deflects cybersecurity attacks before they cause any damage.

3. Secure BYOD devices and endpoints on unsecure networks

Employees using personal devices for work can create vulnerabilities, especially if there’s no MDM agent installed on them. MDM solutions rely on containerization to separate work-related, sensitive data from personal data, providing IT teams with the necessary means to protect business-critical data. 

4. Restrict app and website access

Certain devices don’t need to have access to all applications and websites. Such mobile devices can be converted into single-purpose devices or kiosks by leveraging a mobile device management solution, such as SureMDM, to limit access to approved applications and websites to bolster security. 

5. Minimize incidents of device misplacement or device loss

SureMDM offers an Indoor Location Tracking (IDL) feature for tracking and locating devices in large facilities, like retail warehouses. SureMDM InLocate not only helps companies minimize productivity loss due to device misplacement but also helps them safeguard device investments and save on costs associated with replacing lost devices. In case a device cannot be tracked or retrieved, SureMDM enables IT teams to remotely wipe the data off these devices. 

Stay one step ahead of mobile device cybersecurity threats with SureMDM

With the new wave of cyberattacks targeting mobile devices, businesses need to implement reliable MDM solutions to safeguard and control their device ecosystem. SureMDM helps IT teams to secure, monitor, and manage their fleets of devices, mitigating risks and maximizing productivity for their mobile workforces. It also helps them gain complete control over their devices, and comply with industry regulations for information and data security.