In today's hyper-connected world, businesses rely on their employees having access to a range of reliable, secure mobile devices. Smartphones are now ubiquitous across all sectors and are an integral part of doing business. With the increased popularity of mobile devices, companies are now facing an entirely new range of security and management challenges.
Across the world, a huge number of companies are now implementing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) systems. A Bring Your Own Device policy is where employees use their own private mobile devices for corporate purposes as well as their own personal use. There are many advantages to implementing a BYOD system. BYOD systems are cost-effective, easy to roll out, and improve employee morale.
BYOD is a great solution, but it is also necessary to be aware of the risks it poses. Any company that is considering deploying a BYOD system should be attentive to the many security issues that BYOD entails. In this article, we aim to give you an overview of the best practices for designing and implementing a solid BYOD security policy.
What is BYOD Security?
BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. The term is usually used in reference to a company policy allowing employees to use their own personal mobile devices for corporate purposes. That is, an employee will use their own smartphone for both work duties and personal matters rather than having a work-specific device or a device supplied by the company under a CYOD (Choose Your Own Device) or a COPE (Corporate-Owned, Personally Enabled) device. BYOD policies are now more popular than ever in the workplace. It has been estimated that the BYOD market rose from US$94 billion in 2014 to US$350 billion in 2022.
While there are many advantages to a BYOD policy, there is also a range of drawbacks. One of the biggest disadvantages of a BYOD policy is the issue of security. Since employees are using their own personal devices there is no uniformity of software or hardware. Under a BYOD system, it is more difficult to control how an employee uses their device. Because BYOD systems entail employees using their own private devices, malicious apps or malware may already be present on a device. These problems and many other similar issues make BYOD systems much more vulnerable to security breaches.
BYOD security is important for any company but achieving optimum security levels across a range of different devices and operating systems can be a challenge. To mitigate BYOD security risks, there must be a cohesive mix of company policies and employee education. A business using a BYOD policy should also deploy effective Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM) software.
BYOD Security Risks You Need to Know
There are various BYOD security risks that IT administrators and managers must take into consideration. Understanding these threats is the first step toward building an effective defense.
Data Breaches and Data Leakage
Data breaches are a serious concern in today's digital age. One of the main risks associated with BYOD is data leakage, where sensitive information can be unintentionally exposed due to inadequate security measures. Malicious attacks can result in stolen data, destroyed data, or theft of company credentials. Data loss from lost or stolen devices is a major security risk, as is the scenario where ex-employees still have access to sensitive company data via their own personal smartphone.
Malware and Viruses
BYOD devices are more prone to infection from malware and viruses. Malicious apps can easily find their way onto personal devices and compromise sensitive company data. Devices brought from outside the company network can also be vulnerable to malware infections, posing a threat to overall data security. Phishing attacks can further compromise the integrity of company data, emphasizing the importance of implementing strict BYOD security policies.
Unauthorized Access
One of the biggest security risks of BYOD policies is the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data. Employees using personal applications on company networks can inadvertently expose confidential information to cyber threats. Vigilance must be taken regarding personal and corporate data sharing. Companies must control the use of personal apps that can access corporate data and instruct employees to carefully monitor mobile device usage by unauthorized persons.
Operating System Fragmentation
There are also risks posed by the many different operating systems used across a BYOD environment. Companies will need to secure an effective BYOD security solution suitable for iOS, Android, and other operating systems.
How to Design a Security Policy for BYOD
Designing a BYOD security policy requires a concerted effort across all company levels. A company-wide BYOD policy should include various procedures to be instigated if there are events that pose significant security risks, such as a system crash or lost or stolen phones.
Employees should be properly educated on BYOD security risks and given training on how to best secure their devices and use them in a way that guards against corporate data breaches. Employee exit strategies should include procedures for wiping all corporate data and apps from an ex-employee's device.
When designing a BYOD security policy, a company needs to think about exactly what its security needs are. Policies such as using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access corporate apps may need to be instigated. It may be that a company decides to stipulate which devices and operating systems it deems suitable for its BYOD model. This can drastically reduce compatibility issues and enhance security. Personal devices may require a multi-factor authentication process to access corporate apps safely. The extent of your BYOD security policy largely depends on the security needs of your business, your allocated budget, and the time frame in which you wish to roll out your BYOD model.
To control who has access to BYOD devices and how the devices are used, companies require effective, efficient MDM and MAM solutions. A good BYOD MDM system should include security functions such as:
- Password protection
- Secure containers
- Remote data wiping
- App whitelisting and blacklisting
- Backup/restore functions
- Device tracking
- Disk encryption
- Lost device tracking
- Geofencing
- Remote locking
Top BYOD Implementation Strategies to Keep Corporate Data Safe
Beyond writing a policy, the practical steps you take to implement BYOD will determine how secure your environment actually is. The following strategies represent the most effective approaches for protecting corporate data on personal devices.
Maintain Physical Separation Between Business and Personal Data
A recommended practice to improve the security of company data is to have a physical separation between business and personal data on employees' devices. This allows employees to use their personal devices for personal tasks without risking interference with the business data stored on the device. It makes it easier to manage and secure business data, as employees cannot accidentally transfer or copy business data to their personal accounts or unauthorized apps.
Allow Only Business Applications in the Business Area
By limiting access to business applications on personal devices, employees cannot install unauthorized applications or download apps that could compromise the security of company data. This helps ensure that only approved applications are used to access sensitive information, reducing the risk of data breaches and leaks.
Prohibit Sharing Business Data with Personal Applications
To further protect company data, employees should be prohibited from sharing business data with personal applications on their devices. This practice helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, particularly when a device is lost or stolen, or if the employee leaves the company. Companies should clearly communicate their BYOD and security policies to employees, obtaining their consent before implementing such measures.
Enable Remote Deactivation or Removal of Business Applications
If a device is lost or stolen, or if an employee leaves the company, the ability to remotely disable business applications can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive company data. It is crucial for companies to clearly communicate their BYOD and security policies to employees and obtain their consent before implementing this measure.
Keep Business Applications Updated and Compliant
Security vulnerabilities in applications can be exploited by cybercriminals to access company data or cause damage to IT systems. Regular application updates often address these vulnerabilities and improve security. To mitigate compatibility risks, companies should test updates for compatibility with employees' personal devices before mandating their installation.
Secure All Network Flows
Network communications between a business application on a personal device and the corporate network can be vulnerable to attacks, including man-in-the-middle attacks and data interception. To protect against these threats, it is essential to secure all network flows between the application and the corporate network using encryption methods and other appropriate security techniques.
Training Employees on BYOD Security
Employee awareness is a crucial component of any successful BYOD security policy. Awareness programs educate employees on the potential risks associated with using personal devices for work, such as the dangers of sharing sensitive information through unsecured connections or the importance of complying with company security requirements.
Training should cover topics such as the company's BYOD security policies, procedures for lost or stolen devices, password requirements, software and application updates, and the dangers of using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Employees should be informed of the potential consequences of violating the company's security policy, including loss of sensitive data, legal liability, and loss of customer trust. Training should be ongoing, with regular reminders and updates to keep employees informed and vigilant.
By implementing strong authentication methods, enforcing data encryption, regularly updating security software, and educating employees about potential risks, organizations can minimize the security threats associated with BYOD and protect sensitive company data. Prevention is key for securing your BYOD program.
Where to Find Help with BYOD Security Issues
Despite the widespread popularity of the BYOD model, many businesses often struggle with BYOD security issues. In many cases, this is simply due to a company not being able to find the right MDM supplier to partner with. Appaloosa can provide highly effective MDM security solutions to suit BYOD systems of any scale. Whether you have ten employees or ten thousand, we can ensure that all your devices are secure and safe for both personal and corporate use.
Appaloosa's MDM BYOD security features allow you to:
- Assign public/private apps
- Push silent installs and updates
- Implement remote app configurations
- Implement single sign-on functionality
- Wipe corporate apps remotely
Visit the Appaloosa website today and discover our affordable and effective MDM solutions for BYOD businesses.