As threats to mobile data security become more common each day, businesses and organizations have a major responsibility to protect sensitive corporate data. To prevent company information from being compromised, businesses need to take a proactive approach to this growing issue and ensure their confidential information remains secure.
Cybercrime has become a lucrative business and is no longer limited to individual hackers. These criminals will use advanced, undetectable methods to steal data and wreak havoc on corporate networks. Many corporations are taking an “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” approach to mobile security. While enforcing current mobile security protocols is an essential first step to the process, company mobile security procedures need to be reexamined and adapted to manage emerging trends.
When creating or modifying mobile security policies, companies need to consider not only the authentication of devices but also how devices are used outside of the corporate network. Another important factor businesses need to take into account is the accessibility of these devices to third parties such as employee family or friends. Overlooking any of these circumstances can lead to instances of inadvertent compromising of confidential company information.
Social Media has also become a big issue for mobile security threats. Not only does this media produce direct risks such as malicious links, these news feeds cause unintentional dangers as well. Social media has caused a cultural evolution in how our society communicates both on a personal and corporate level. While posts to Facebook and Twitter may not cause an immediate mobile threat, the analysis of various feeds could allow a hacker to track a users location or find weakness in a corporate network.
While social media provides unique marketing tools, it also provides an opportunity for security breach. Employees can unintentionally leak confidential company information through social media outlets. Companies need to develop a corporate procedure for social media etiquette and incorporate this into employee training to encourage proper online conduct. It is essential for businesses not only to implement security protocols but also help employees understand why it is crucial to implement them. Educating employees on current trends and increasing mobile threats will help prevent against security breaches.
The use of cloud computing is creating a large mobile security concern as well. When confidential company data is outsourced to third party vendors, businesses need to be aware of data management and accessibility. Organizations need to know their partner, understand their partner’s privacy policy and ensure it is being enforced.
Despite these and other security risks on mobile devices, the security initiatives are at the beginning stages. Corporate policies need to be modified so they apply to new and expanding technologies. Waiting to change these policies until there is an issue is a risk that companies cannot afford to take. Reviewing existing business procedures, consolidating IT infrastructure and implementing educational sessions among employees will all provide a level of defense to protect businesses from mobile security threats.
For more information view the full story Common oversights in enterprise data security by Kevin Kwang at http://www.zdnetasia.com/common-oversights-in-enterprise-data-security-62302289.htm.
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