Employees all have mobile devices. Today, many of our employees even have a mobile device that is provided by businesses for business use. However, managing mobile devices in the workplace can be challenging due to the wide variety of devices, operating systems, and security risks involved.
Here are some tips on how to effectively manage mobile devices in your workplace.
Tips for Managing Mobile Devices:
- Develop a Business Mobile Device Policy: A mobile device policy should clearly outline what is and is not acceptable when using mobile devices in the workplace. This policy should include information on security requirements, acceptable use of the device, and any restrictions on downloading apps to company devices.
- Provide Employee Mobile Device Training: Employees should be educated on how to use their mobile devices safely and securely in the workplace. This can include training on how to create strong passwords, how to identify phishing scams, and how to safely connect to public Wi-Fi networks.
Be Diligent with Mobile Device Security:
Today, hackers are targeting increasingly mobile devices. Hackers know that many employees utilize sites and apps that use the information on their personal as well as work-provided devices. Hackers love to gain access to company email, servers, and more. Protecting your business systems has become a priority for even the smallest of businesses.
Here are some tips for keeping your information safe from hackers.
- Regularly Update Your Business Software: Keeping software up to date is crucial for maintaining security. New software updates to address known vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
- Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) Software on Company Owned Devices: MDM software allows you to remotely manage and secure mobile devices in your workplace. This software can help you enforce security policies, control access to company data, and remotely wipe data from lost or stolen devices.
- Device Encryption: Encryption is another method for encoding data on mobile devices. It adds much-needed security so that mobile devices can only be accessed by authorized users. Device encryption can help protect company data in the event of a lost or stolen device.
- Block Unwanted Websites from Your Wi-Fi: When employees are using their devices on your business Wi-Fi you can block unwanted sites from loading on their personal devices if they are accessing the sites from your business Wi-Fi account.
- Block Unwanted Applications from Your Devices: While it might sound fun to let your employees access their personal accounts on work devices, it is not a great idea. No matter the size of your business, your sensitive information must be protected from hackers. Government agencies are already banning apps from employees’ phones to try and cut back on this bad behavior.
It is a common misconception that an application is safe when you download it from the App Store. The reality is that Apps are built by private companies and individuals. They can be built to exploit your system, or they may have unknown vulnerabilities that leave them open to hackers.
Here are some recent examples:
TikTok
“On Monday, several cybersecurity analysts tweeted about the discovery of what was purportedly a breach of an insecure server that allowed access to TikTok’s storage, which they believe contained personal user data. Only days earlier, Microsoft Corp. said it had found a “high-severity vulnerability” in TikTok’s Android application, “which would have allowed attackers to compromise users’ accounts with a single click.”
Sept 5th, 2022 Fortune.com
Discord
“Discord, the eight-year-old social media, and messaging platform popular among young people and video game players that has increasingly become a mainstream part of the internet, has once again run into controversy. Leaked Pentagon documents were said to have been circulating on the platform as early as March before appearing on other sites. The leaks are the latest incident in recent years in which Discord has played a key role.”
April 11th, 2023 New York Times
What are Some Device Management Options for Small Businesses?
You can manage the devices you own in several diverse ways. First, you can manage the device through the operating system. Most devices are either Apple or Android operating systems. Here are some tips on how to set up controls for both.
Mobile Device Management for iPhones:
Use the built-in device management tools: iPhones have built-in device management tools that allow you to control various aspects of your device. These tools include options to set a passcode, enable restrictions, and limit access to certain apps and features. You can find these tools in the Settings app, under the “General” and “Screen Time” sections.
Apple Configurator is a free app from Apple that allows you to manage multiple iPhones at once. With Apple Configurator, you can configure settings, install apps, and update software on multiple devices at the same time. This is a good option if you have many iPhones to manage and want a centralized way to do so.
Mobile Device Management for Android Devices:
Android Device Manager locks and wipes your device remotely. You can use this feature to locate your device if you lose it, lock your device if it’s stolen, or erase your device if you don’t want anyone else to access your data.
Mobile Device Management for All Devices:
Businesses can also use parental control apps to manage employees’ mobile device usage. These apps allow you to set time limits, block certain apps and websites, and monitor activity on the device.
How Can ClarityHR Help with Mobile Device Policies and Procedures?
By following these tips, you can effectively manage mobile devices in the workplace and help protect your company from security risks. No matter the size of your business it is important to develop policies and procedures for your tech. According to McAfee, mobile devices are now being targeted more than ever before, and keeping your business information safe should be a priority for all business owners. Contact us today to learn how you can implement better mobile device management for your team.
Additional Reading: