By Krishna Vishnubhotla, Vice President Product Strategy -  Zimperium

With January in the rear view and resolutions well under way, businesses worldwide are working towards their goals of growth and expansion. As businesses grow, new employees will come on board and with that, comes the need to access various networks and devices - both of which are in constant risk of cyber threats. Just like mobile devices and networks are constantly evolving, so are bad actors' tactics. Protecting them should be an organization's top priority. According to Verizon's 2023 Mobile Security Index, mobile app threats increased by over 30% between the first half of 2022 and the first half of 2023. This piece will dive into why mobile endpoint security should be front of mind for IT departments as well as some of the many threats mobile devices are susceptible to.

Why Mobile Security is Vital for Businesses

It's no secret that mobile devices are a vital part of our everyday lives, in and out of work, and businesses have capitalized on this trend by letting their employees use their personal devices such as laptops, tablets and phones for work. However, with the ability to use personal devices comes great risk exposure as employees new and seasoned will be using their devices to access confidential documents, company information and emails. If an employee's device were to become compromised due to a lack of proper security measures, all of this sensitive information could easily fall into the hands of bad actors looking to exploit the organization. This puts both your company's data and reputation at risk.

Cybercriminals are always staying on the pulse of new ways to take advantage of vulnerabilities in mobile devices. Per Verizon's 2023 Mobile Security Index report findings 50% of personal devices were exposed to a mobile phishing attack, a tremendous number. 

Big Threats to Mobile Devices

Threats to mobile devices will not only compromise sensitive corporate and personal information, but will also cause major disruption to the organization's system and network. Threats such as phishing scams, data breaches, malware attacks and outdated software are some big threats that mobile devices could easily fall victim to.

Phishing Scams: Phishing is a social engineering attack where scammers try to trick people into giving away their personal information by posing as legitimate entities such as banks or government agencies through emails or messages. Mobile devices are particularly vulnerable since we tend to access these messages while multitasking and may not pay close attention before clicking on suspicious links. Always make sure you read the fine print and pay attention to even the smallest of details as that can be what protects you and your data from falling in the wrong hands.

Data Breaches: The amount of sensitive data we all store on our smartphones is alarming - from credit card numbers to login credentials for various accounts. This makes them an attractive target for hackers looking to steal valuable data or sell it on the dark web. Data breaches on popular apps like Instagram and WhatsApp have put millions of users at risk in recent years.

Malware Attacks: With the rise in popularity of mobile apps, bad actors have found a new way to target unsuspecting users. Malware such as viruses, trojans, adware, and spyware can infect your device through apps or links that at first glance are seemingly harmless. Once installed, they can steal your personal information or even worse, take control of your device.

Outdated Software: You would be surprised at how much software updates are overlooked and put off, but they are incredibly important in keeping your organization safe. Regular software updates not only provide new features but also patch any security vulnerabilities that may have been discovered. Ignoring these updates leaves your device exposed to potential threats.

Implementing Comprehensive Mobile Security

Securing your organization's network should include comprehensive measures that covers every point of entry, including employee-owned mobile devices. This will not only protect your organization's data, but will also show responsibility towards your employees which can ultimately boost their productivity and morale by giving them peace of mind in knowing they are protected. In order to stay a step ahead of bad actors and the cyber threats they bring, establishing robust mobile security for new hires is an investment that cannot be neglected.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Krishna Vishnubhotla is a seasoned professional in the SaaS industry, specializing in catalyzing startup growth through adept product and marketing strategies. With a keen focus on mobile application security products, he has a proven track record in defining and executing product visions that drive significant revenue growth. In addition to managing a global customer success portfolio, he established high-value strategic partnerships. His leadership skills extend to spearheading revenue generation efforts, serving a diverse clientele across multiple industries.